Kolkata's Kumartuli crafts Ma Durga idols for overseas celebrations

With just a few months left for Durga Puja, the grand festival celebrating the victory of good over evil, Kolkata's Kumartuli, the clay modellers' colony in North Kolkata, is bustling with activity. Every year, three to four months ahead of the Durga Puja festival, fibreglass Durga idols from Kumartuli are dispatched to foreign countries, spreading the essence of this vibrant celebration across the globe.

Meeting global demands

A renowned artist and clay modeller Mintu Pal revealed the increasing demand for Durga idols from overseas. "This year I have got orders for 14 Durga idols of which eight idols have already been shipped abroad. Idols have been sent to New York, Canada, Germany, Berlin, Australia. One Durga idol is ready to be shipped to Texas, USA," said Pal. "Orders start coming from the month of January. There are orders for Maa Durga idols from the UK, Dubai, Sharjah, Singapore, and they are being prepared," he added.

The rise of fibreglass idols

Pal further explained that the idols sent to foreign countries are primarily made of fibreglass. "Every year our idols that go abroad are made of fibreglass only. The order was less during Covid but now the festival has restarted. Durga Puja is performed by NRI Bengalis and Indians living abroad following the rules. In Muslim countries, the idols of Maa Durga go to Dubai, Qatar, Sharjah," said Pal.

Catering to global celebrations

Pal also mentioned that talks are ongoing for 2-3 more orders, with one confirmed to be heading to the UK. "One will go to England, talks are going on now. Last year we sent 16 idols to foreign countries. This year also 16 to 17 idols will go abroad from my store, eight have already reached America and now some are on their way. All the idols for the USA will be shipped by August, the rest of the idols going to Singapore and Dubai are being made now. It reaches in 15 to 20 days," he said.

Online and international connectivity

The digital age has revolutionised the way these idols are ordered. "Since 2000, I have been sending fibreglass idols to foreign countries where Maa Durga is worshipped. People place orders online, through phone, through WhatsApp, some people place orders when they come to visit Kolkata, some relatives who live abroad place orders. Presently, more orders are received online and on WhatsApp," Pal stated.

Shipping methods and costs

The idols sent to the USA are transported by ship due to their size and cost-effectiveness. "The idol of Maa Durga that goes to the USA is sent by ship, the cost is less and it is easy to send a big idol by ship, and the one that goes by flight are the smaller ones. The cost of sending by flight is very high. That's why we send the idols of Maa Durga by ship to foreign countries two-three months in advance. It takes around 60 to 70 days to reach the USA. It takes 20 to 25 days to send Durga idols to other Asian countries," Pal explained. The cost of making a Maa Durga idol was equal to the cost of sending it, he added. "If the cost of an idol is Rs 1 lakh 80 thousand to 2 lakh, then almost the same amount is spent in sending that idol. It costs about two lakhs to transport it. The idols of Maa Durga going abroad are made of fibreglass. Depending on the size, the cost of the idol ranges from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh."

Post-COVID resurgence

After a challenging period during the pandemic, business has been on the rise for Kumartuli's artisans. "Local orders have increased this year. After getting recognition from UNESCO, Durga is celebrated with much more grandeur across the country as well as abroad now. Bengali people who are settled abroad are all organising Durga Puja," Pal said. He has been associated with the idol-making business for the last 35 years.

(With inputs from ANI)