Kolkata, Sept. 15 -- Just a month before Durga Puja, Kumortuli's idol-makers are once again facing a fresh clay crisis, with the administration reportedly stopping the lifting of clay from the banks of the Ganga. The renewed disruption has come at a crucial stage when most artisans are racing to complete the final orders.
Artisans said nearly four truckloads of clay had been ordered, but not a single truck has arrived so far. The shortage had already pushed up clay prices earlier, with a truckload of river clay costing around Rs 22,000 against nearly Rs 15,000 previously. The latest stoppage has now added to the uncertainty among idol-makers.
An idol-maker and member of the association said they have approached the administration regarding the issue and were assured that the matter would be resolved very soon. However, artisans fear that even a short disruption could affect last-minute work, as most idols are delivered before or on Mahalaya. The shortage comes alongside persistent rain, which has further complicated idol-making. Moisture is delaying the drying of clay structures, increasing the risk of damage and stretching work that normally takes hours over several days. Artisans have been using electric fans, but say these cannot replace traditional sun-drying.
This is also the first Durga Puja after the regime change and artisans say orders have fallen this year. Many clubs and associations have reportedly reduced their Puja budgets amid uncertainty over the state assistance earlier provided to Puja committees under the previous government.
The reduced orders have further hit Kumortuli's idol-makers, who are already struggling with higher raw-material and labour costs.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.