Kumartuli: where clay comes alive
The article explores the traditional craft of idol-making in Kolkata's Kumartuli district ahead of the Durga Puja festival. It highlights the history of the potters, the evolution of their designs, and the impact of tourism on the community.
Why it matters
Documents the preservation of cultural heritage and the intersection of traditional craftsmanship with modern social media influence.
I n Kolkata’s famed potters’ quarter Kumartuli, the rhythm of Durga Puja takes shape in clay. Weeks ahead of the festival, artisans work long hours in cramped workshops, transforming bundles of straw, layers of clay and bamboo frames into majestic idols of Goddess Durga. With remarkable skill and patience, they mould the clay, shape the figures, refine the facial features and carefully paint the idols, gradually bringing the idols to life before they are carried to puja pandals across Kolkata and beyond.
Kumartuli’s history dates back nearly 300 years and is closely linked to Krishnanagar, in West Bengal’s Nadia district. Maharaja Krishnachandra of Krishnanagar is credited with popularising idol worship, with the first Durga Puja believed to have been celebrated there in 1606. Over time, potters from the area migrated to the city, settling along the Hooghly River.
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