Kumartuli is a small neighbourhood in Kolkata. It has a very important place in history. Ever wondered where all the idols of Goddess Durga come from for the Durga Puja? They all come from Kumartuli. This place has a long tradition of clay idol making. It also possesses a strong association with the most important festival of Bengal -Durga Puja.
It is located in North Calcutta along the Hooghly river. This art form has grown into a trade and has been contributing towards the life of many an artisan.
The artists are termed as Karigars. They work with a lot of passion as for most of them it is a family business that has been passed down for centuries. The labourers and Karigars work and live in the same space. They are like a giant family dominating the entire region. Most of the workshops are linearly planned along narrow lanes. These workshops and tool sheds act as the residence of the karigars.
Now let us take a tour of the workshops. As we enter the workshop, the first thing that catches the eye is the rows of idols on either side. The walls are made of brick. The roofs are made of sloping tin shades. These are supported by bamboo truss system and have mezzanine floors.
Each workshop is about 18 to 20 feet high. Most of them don’t even have conventional stairs. Instead, they house wooden or steel ladders. The workshops in Kumartuli are constructed in this temporary manner because the karigars visit them only before Durga Puja to complete their work.
