BHOPAL: Though artists from Bengal were less for making of Durga idols — some declining to come because of Corona pandemic and some others demanding money which the idol makers at Bhopal were not able to afford — input cost for making of idols had gone up considerably and there were restrictions from the police and the administration over timing of work, yet the idols are more or less ready for delivery to various Durga Utsav Samitis in Bhopal and outside.
Anup Dey, a veteran artist who prepares more than 100 Durga idols for Durga Utsav every year, says that he confronted problems in doing his job this year as never before. Not only artists from Kolkata were demanding more money to come and price of the soil he uses to make the idols has doubled in a year’s time and the administration and the police maintained a constant pressure not allowing him and his artistes to work till late night, yet he has been able to deliver 110 Durga idols to those from who had advance booking.
“The cost for making idols has also gone up a great deal. I use soil from Ganga Sagar to make idols and the soil, which used to cost me Rs 60-65 thousand, cost Rs 1.30 lakh this year. Artists whom I call from Bengal were asking for more money. Those who would normally charge Rs 25,000 were asking for up to Rs 35,000. Police and administration were also keeping us under pressure, but I am happy that I have finished my job in time. All the110-111 idols, which I made, have been delivered.”
N C Paul, another wellknown artist who used to make hundreds of idols of Maa Durga for Durga Utsav in Bhopal, is no more and his work is now being looked after by his wife and children. “Artists from Bengal refused to come down to Bhopal due to the pandemic. We didn’t make too many idols this year”, she said.
