How the Artisans of Kumartuli bring Clay Idols to Life
Nestled between the narrow bylanes of North Kolkata is a place where tradition is renewed with the making of clay idols, that grace pandals on the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja. We are talking about Kumartuli, a bustling hub for local artisans where each craft is steeped in an age-old tradition that speaks volumes about the Bengali culture. In this blog, we will shine the spotlight on the artisans of Kumartuli and the idol-making process during Durga Puja. A Brief History of Kumartuli Kumartali unlike today was a caste-based quarter exclusively meant for potters or kumbhars. In the 1700s British India, several caste-based quarters were alloted by the British East India company to people from different occupations and Kumartuli was one of these. The availability of soft, fertile clay is the reason for the making of earthenware by the community in the region. Today, it's a heritage site and a popular spot for someone who wishes to immerse in the traditional history...