KOLKATA KUMATULI: THE SHINE & DARKNESS STORY EVERY YEAR

Swarnali Goswami

Kolkata’s Kumartuli (Potter’s Place), can be described as the Durga capital of the World. The place Kumartuli originated by the British, for the then Kolkata potters with the name ‘Komortolla’ (Potter’s Quarters). It has over the years have survived and transformed into the present Kumartuli. Though Kolkata’s Kumartuli is being replicated in various other places in Bengal like Siliguri, Malda, Coochbehar etc. However, the legacy and quality of Kolkata’s Kumartuli remain unquestionable. This year too, the artisans are coming up with something unique in their creations. The sad part, however, remains the fact that the economic condition of many of these artisans is unfortunate. The role of the Government in trying to eradicate though cannot be denied but still, some prudent steps in that regard are still not there. Though the work goes here throughout the year but it’s the Durga Puja time when the dimension becomes skyrocketing. Despite the overseas booking is taking shape gradually but the domestic market occupies the volume. TNI talked to one of the artisans of Kumartuli, Mr. Swapan Paul, whose main earning comes during this time. He said “Our way of making the Durga Idols is based on early booking. The booking comes from Clubs, Puja Committees, Housing societies etc. We try to make idols according to their specifications. Till now we could supply satisfactory outputs, which lead them to come to us every year”. Mr. Paul is the third generation, working in this domain since his childhood. This year he has got 25 idol bookings for which the work is going on. Such is not the circumstance for everyone. 60-year-old artisan Sona Paul is disappointed about his business. He basically creates readymade idols for sale. Price is decided by bargaining based on the pre-made idols. Mr. Paul laments “Market is shrinking for us every day. The younger lot of my family is not interested in this arena and is trying their luck elsewhere. Nowadays the younger people, who come in this field is for money and not for passion. They are either untrained or are inexperienced, creating a bad name for our community here”. He added further that idol making is gradually becoming hard for the artisans because the costs of raw materials are increasing but the selling price is not rising.

Edited By: T. Deepika (TNI Siliguri)
Photo: Swarnali Goswami (TNI Kolkata)