Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Ara : With hardly two days left to opening of ‘Patt’ on October 16, 2018, to mark the Dussehara, idol makers are working extra hours to meet the demand of customers and also vying to make grand and beautiful idols of Maa Durga. They are busy giving finishing touches to the idols of Maa Durga (Goddess of Strength). But the artisans found it tough to dry up the idols due to sudden dip in temperature, misty weather and high level of humidity.

Hundreds of small and large idols are made from scratch at makeshift workshops in different parts of Bhojpur district. They are then sent across the city to various pandals where Durga Puja is celebrated, Raj Kumar, an artisan in Nawada locality said. A sexagenarian, he belongs to a family that has been in the idol making business for generations. He said that he had not learned anything other than idol making. Something which was once a passion, is now his profession. His father and grandfather always told him that idol making was an art that very few were blessed with. They also told him not to care about money. He said that the art is slowly dying in the area and the new generation is not keen on taking the tradition forward.

Another artisan Shushil Sen makes idols during festivals and utensils after that on Maula Bagh. He said that after Puja is over, he sells mud and terracotta utensil. He said that they had started working on the idols in the month of August during rainy season. In normal conditions, it usually takes four days to complete an idol depending on its size and intricacy of craftsmanship but due to rain, high humidity level and low teperature, it takes almost six to seven days, he said he hiding his ‘masterpieces’ under a sunshade to protect them from dew drops.

Idols of Maa Durga cost Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh depending on the size and number of other idols. Raj Kumar, who has made 125 idols this year so far, said that their business was marred due to demonetisation last year but this year almost all the idols have been booked and he expects to earn about Rs 1.5 lakh this year.

A number of artisans have put their idols on sale at different points in Bhojpur district. Apart from the traditional mud idols, ones made of Plaster of Paris seeds, straws and other materials  are also in demand. They take lesser time to dry and light in weight and can be coloured using a spray painting machine, said Mohan, another artisan adding that they were expecting better business this year. He said that idol making is a seasonal business which depends on the market conditions.

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