clay modeller KumaratuliKolkata’s main idol-making hub is completely satisfied this yr as orders for Durga idols are pouring in, however on the identical time, they aren’t glad with the costs provided by their clients.
After a niche of two years because of the international COVID-19 pandemic, artisans’ colony The northern a part of town is filled with life and power because the modelers and their assistants are busy making idols of Goddess Durga and her progeny from bamboo, clay, ropes, grass, wooden and different objects.
Yet, amidst all of the hustle and bustle, they’re disillusioned as they aren’t getting the appropriate value for the idols, although the uncooked materials has turn into costly and the wages of the employees have elevated.
“The situation is excellent this year after two years of disappointment. Bookings have increased for all the modellers. But the raw material prices have gone up manifold and we cannot pass the cost on to our loyal customers,” Kanchi Pal, a girl artisan informed PTI.
Pal Joe 20. making statues He mentioned that on a median 10 idols orders have been acquired by all of the main artisans and it is a significantly better place than the final two years.
According to artisan Somnath Rudra Pal, the demand for Durga idols has elevated, however the puja organizers have requested to maintain the costs of the idols as little as attainable.
“Organizers are claiming that they have less budget. The problem is that we are not in a position to increase the price of the idols. We are somehow managing,” he mentioned.
The predominant ‘karigar’ (employee) expenses Rs 1,500 per day and an assistant expenses Rs 800. It was very low earlier, he mentioned.
A completed idol of Goddess Durga along with her 4 kids and a ‘Mahishasur’ (buffalo demon) prices round Rs 75,000 to Rs 1 lakh and might go as much as Rs 1.5 lakh.
However, many organizers are saying that they can not afford to pay that a lot. Somnath Rudra Pal mentioned that some requested the modeller to maintain the worth between Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000.
Mala Pal mentioned that he has acquired a lot of orders from town and its environment aside from the same old small idols going overseas. Locally, he received orders to make about 30 Durga idols of various sizes.
There is not any downside with orders from outdoors India. However, the scenario is completely different with native puja organisers, she mentioned.
“We are not negotiating with them over the prices of the idols, although the raw material prices are skyrocketing,” Mala Pal, whereas engaged on an idol in her residence, informed PTI. Workshop in Kumartuli.
Five bundles of hay now value round Rs 350, nevertheless it was Rs 200 earlier and for a kilogram of rope they needed to spend Rs 150 as a substitute of Rs 120.
An artisan on the idol making middle in Kumartuli, Kolkata. (Source: Express Photo by Partha Paul)
“Pooja committees are requesting us to maintain the worth reasonably priced for them. That’s why I’m doing it,” she mentioned.
Mala Pal mentioned she has already despatched small Durga idols (2.5 ft to three ft excessive) to the US, UK and Switzerland.
Another artisan Subhash Pal mentioned that the market scenario is extra like in 2019, earlier than the coronavirus pandemic was the one downside of improve within the value of uncooked supplies.
The value of 1 quintal of wooden was Rs 1,800, which has now turn into Rs 3,200. Similarly, the price of one kg of nail was Rs 75, whereas this yr it’s Rs 100.
“We cannot afford to lose our customers. I am trying to get the price in 2019 while keeping the profit margin low as the number of orders has increased,” mentioned Subhash Pal.
Noted clay modeler Mintu Pal, who made an 88-feet excessive Durga idol for the Kolkata Puja Committee in 2015, additionally mentioned that the scenario has turn into just like the pre-COVID-19 interval.
“Of the 35 idols being made in my workshop, 30 are for community worship and five in the housing complex. On an average, the idols are 10 feet high,” he mentioned.
The value of the idols ranges between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh because the puja organizers are usually not ready to extend the finances of the idols within the final two years because of the COVID-19 scenario, although the price of uncooked supplies and wages of laborers have elevated, he mentioned. .
He mentioned that 12 of his idols have gone overseas together with America, Italy, Britain and Africa.
Kanchi Pal mentioned that there are round 1,000 clay modelers within the artisans’ colony.
Durga Puja in Kolkata was included in UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
