Small locality in North-Kolkata where a community of potters live and they are known for their expertise in sculpting these idols from clay. This place is called Kumartuli.
Kumartuli is an amazing place here in Kolkata. In the maze of lanes between Sovabazar and Ahiritola, the gifted artisans are continuously creating masterpieces and bringing the Gods and Goddesses on earth. The neighbourhood not only supports the potters who make idols, but also the many other artisans, traders related with process of idol making. There are small shops selling the ornamentations that are used to decorate the idols, while some shops are selling clothes that are used as sarees and dhotis on idols. Kumartuli was and is still the biggest hub of Durga idols in Bengal.
Kumartuli is actually named after the potter’s (kumars or kumbhakars) who had settled in the area.
THE IDOL MAKERS OF KUMARTULI
More than 450 workshops are there in Kumartuli. The skilled artisans and potters regularly create idols of gods, goddesses and models for various other purposes. The time before the Durga Puja is the busiest for them in the year, though Bengalis have celebrations and festivals all-round the year. Even before Durga Puja, the artisans of Kumartuli are also busy with Ganesh puja, Viswakarma puja. And after the Durga Puja also comes Laxmi Puja, Kali Puja and Saraswati Puja.
Most of the Kumartuli idol makers are old working in their small dimly lit rooms. They have been making the idols for years and years. A typical workshop of artisan is usually a rectangular shaped room having an entrance facing the road or lane. If you enter the workshop, you will find rows of idols and murtis kept on either side. Idols in several stages of completion will be on display. The major problem faced by the Kumartuli idol makers is the rain which makes it becomes difficult for them to sundry the clay idols as Durga Puja is held just after the monsoon. Sometimes the artisans even use Bunsen burner flame and then blowers to dry them.
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