Kolkata artisans abandon traditional craft for lucrative options

The tradition of making idols of Goddesses in Kolkata is losing out to more lucrative options, as younger generation is abandoning it for the glamour of other profitable jobs.

By Soma Mitra

Kolkata, Oct 3 : The tradition of making idols of Goddesses in Kolkata is losing out to more lucrative options, as younger generation is abandoning it for the glamour of other profitable jobs.

Lack of profitable returns and miserable working conditions are major factors compelling the younger lot to stay away from taking up this profession.

For centuries, artisans residing in Kumartuli, the nerve centre of clay idol makers in the city, have been engaged in this traditional craft. But the craft is now on the verge of becoming extinct.

"Our business is continuously dipping because the younger generation is not very keen to take up this profession. My son, who is just in ninth-grade, refuses to take up idol making when he grows up," said Rudrajit Pal, an artisan.

"I don't want to be in this profession because I'm coming here since the age of five, and I have seen the artisans who work here are in a miserable condition. I want a bright future for myself," said Shubhojit Pal, son of an artisan.

At present, around 1000 artisans are directly involved in idol making in Kolkata.

If nothing is done to improve the condition of these artisans who continue to reel under adverse conditions, the future looks bleak for traditional craft.

ANI