Idol artisans unhappy with high material costs

With Durga Puja around the corner, nearly a hundred idol artisans in Lalmonirhat and Kurigram are struggling to earn the expected profits due to rising material costs.

Along with them are 350-400 assistant artisans.

Once a profitable business, idol artisans have grown increasingly frustrated over the past two years as the prices of clay, straw, bamboo, wood, and ropes have risen, while the prices of idols have remained unchanged.

Durga Puja will be held from September 28 to October 2. Idols are nearly complete. In some temples, artisans can be seen putting the finishing touches by painting them.

Puja Udjapan Parishad sources said 467 temples in five upazilas of Lalmonirhat have been prepared to celebrate Durga Puja this year, while 537 temples in nine upazilas of Kurigram.

Photo: S Dilip Roy/Star

Nipin Cahndra Pal, 55, an idol artisan in Kurigram, told The Daily Star that each craftsman has 4-5 assistants working day and night to meet the deadlines.

This year, they are crafting each Durga idol for Tk 20,000-60,000.

"Earlier, I used to collect clay from various places to make idols, so it didn't cost anything. Now, we have to buy the soil," he said.

Another craftsman, Subodh Chandra Pal, 48, of Kurigram, said, "The prices of bamboo, rope, wood, straw, and paint used in idol making have doubled, but the price of the idols has not increased. The idols have to be sold at the previous set prices."

"This year, I will not be able to make much profit by selling idols. I will only be getting by."

Photo: S Dilip Roy/Star

Lalmonirhat's idol maker, Pallab Chandra Roy, 35, told the Daily Star that each artisan is busy making 7-10 idols. "We have been in this profession since the time of our ancestors. I don't know any other work, so I continue in it out of necessity," he said adding, "We have been making idols for the past two months. It takes 7-10 days to make an idol."

Sribas Chandra Roy, 32, an idol maker of Lalmonirhat, said last year he was able to make a profit of Tk 10,000-12,000 per idol. "But this year there will be no profit. We are just living hand-to-mouth this year. There is no work throughout the year."

President of Sadhutari Durga temple in Lalmonirhat town, Binod Chandra Roy, said the price of all products and fruits used in puja has increased a lot. He said they bought the idols at the same price as before.

Lalmonirhat District Puja Udjapan Parishad President Hiralal Roy told the Daily Star that they have taken all kinds of preparations to complete Durga Puja safely.

"The idol makers don't make enough money from idols. They lead a subhuman life," he said.