Kumartuli – the Colony of Potters

At Kumartuli – the Colony of Potters, More than 450 workshops owned by master sculptors regularly create idols of Gods, Goddesses and models for museums and galleries here. The busiest time of the year is from September to February when the major Hindu festivals of Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Laxmi Puja and Saraswati Puja are held. You can peep into the workshops to see the sculptors in work anytime of the year. They usually start with building the frame out of wood, bamboo and straw. The clay is dug out from the riverbed of Ganges and brought to the Ghat in Kumartuli by boatmen, from where they are supplied to the respective workshops. It may take up to months to sculpt and decorate each idol and the handiwork of scores of artists.

Kumartuli is now a world phenomenon and both men and women artisans work tirelessly to create art pieces which not only adorn the Pandals of Kolkata but of Europe, Australia, Africa and America too. Every year, idols made of Fiber Glass are airborne to foreign land into the homes and cultural clubs of Bangalee expats located worldwide who reminisce the festivals back home.

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