Artisans putting hours to complete idols of Goddess Saraswati

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Ara : With Saraswati Puja falling on January 22, 2018, idol makers are working extra hours to meet the demand of customers and vying with each other to make grand and beautiful idols of Goddess Saraswati. They are offering a wide range of choices and are busy giving final touches to the idols of Maa Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge). But the artisans are finding it difficult to dry up the idols due to sudden dip in temprature and high level of humidity.

Hundreds of small and large idols are made at makeshift workshops in different parts of Bhojpur district and then sent across the various pandals and educational institutions where Saraswati Puja is celebrated, said Raj Kumar, 62, an artisan in Nawada locality, Ara. Raj Kumar, who belongs to a family that has been in the idol making business for generations, 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.

Another artisan Shushil Sen makes idols during festivals and utensils after that at Maula Bagh. He said that after Puja is over, his work continues round the year and sells mud and terracotta utensil. He said that they had started working on the idols in December last as foggy conditions in January are a usual phenomenon. In normal conditions, it usually takes four days to complete an idol depending on its size and intricacy of craftsmanship but due to dense fog and high humidity levels, it takes almost six to seven days, he said.

Colourful idols of Goddess Saraswati are very much in demand and cost Rs 100 to Rs 3,500. Raj Kumar and team members have made 125 idols this year and almost all the idols have been booked and he expects to earn Rs 30,000 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 are also in demand. They take lesser time to dry and weigh less and can be coloured using a spray painting machine, said Mohan, another artisan. He said that idol making is a seasonal business which depends on the market conditions. He added that students and coaching centres are our main customers.