Idol-makers breathe life into Goddess Durga

For Kishori Mohan Pal, a traditional idol maker from North Kolkata, Chennai has been second home around Durga Puja time for over 30 years now. Giving shape to the line of idols, predominantly the ones of Goddess Durga at the Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya in T Nagar, he is accompanied by his team, including his son Rinku. Durga Puja will be observed between October 7 and 11 this year. 

In the dark shed that reflects colours from the paints being prepared for the idols, there is a fascinating line-up of gods and goddesses. 

Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Ganesha and Karthikeya take up a little space, while idols of Goddess Durga that are in various sizes and varying stages of completion dominate the proceedings. 

The custom of making idols dates back to more than a thousand years, says Pal, who belongs to the fifth generation of idol makers in his family. 

“I enjoy this routine. I am here for three months as I receive orders from various parts of Tamil Nadu and outside. In Tiruchy, they have asked for a Kali idol, Bengal associations in Kerala have asked for Durga Ma’s, while the other orders are for the Neyveli Power Plant and associations in Vellore. There is also one order for the Avadi Air Force Station,” he says, indicating that it has been a busy time. 

Engaged in idol making since he was in his teens and trained by his father, Pal says that it takes five to eight years for an idol maker to come up with a comprehensible image of the goddess. 

“It takes a lifetime actually,” he says. Getting the soil mixture, the colours and the finishing touches can be perfected only after several years, he says. “That’s why we start training our children young. It has to evolve organically,” he says. 

The process of execution is long and requires focus, says Pal. The structure is made of bamboo and straw, followed by clay, mixed and applied in layers. The face of the idol involves the most intricate work, he adds, having the expression and features emerge requires skill. 

Pal, who gets the clay from Kolkata, says that his customers know his work and therefore, he has been having a steady client base. The idols sell from anywhere around Rs 60,000. “It depends on the size, but there is very little left for us as an earning after meeting costs,” he says. 

Pal has also been training several youngsters, and has volunteered to train some of those undergoing vocational training in the art at the Thakkar Bapa Vidyalaya. “It is about creating more hands to take forward the art. I am glad that this tradition will never decline. Look at the number of pandals being put up; everyone is taking this tradition forward,” he says. 

While Pal will return to Kolkata before Deepavali, he says he looks forward to next year’s work. “We keep travelling around many areas in the city to make idols. This city has been an important part of our work. It is always exciting to return,” he says.