Idol-makers and MLA flag concerns over clay supply

Kolkata: Ever since the ban on digging soil from riverbanks came into effect, sticky clay from the Hooghly has become scarce. As a result, the making of Durga idols has taken a hit. Artisans are concerned over how to complete the idols, as they have only 141 days to finish their work.

Clay is the essential material used to make the base after preparing the foundation skeleton with bamboo and layers of straw. Clay is applied as a base layer. After it dries, clay from the Hooghly is used to make a finer layer to shape the idol. According to idol-makers, without clay, they cannot give shape to an idol.

Swapan Dasgupta, BJP MLA from the Rashbehari Assembly constituency, posted on X: “A delegation of artisans from Kumartuli, led by Padma Shri Sanatan Rudra Pal, apprised me of a crisis facing the idol-makers.” He urged CM Suvendu Adhikari to take steps to ensure supply for the forthcoming Durga Puja.

Mintu Paul, a well-known artisan from Kumartuli, said, “I have stock for only 10 days, but I don’t know what to do after that as the last truck carrying clay came here in the first week of May. Since then, no truck has entered. The person who supplies clay here couldn’t give any assurance about when the supply would normalize, since digging soil from the riverbank has been completely stalled for the last few weeks. A delegation of Kumartuli idol-makers met the local MLA to explain the matter.”

The Canal East Road Artisans Organisation has also appealed to Adhikari, with signatures from other artisans. Dilip Pal, an artisan who signed the appeal, said, “This is an industry where a huge number of people earn money for their families, but the entire system will be on the verge of collapse if the matter is not solved now. Bulk orders will start coming from mid-June, but we are clueless at this point. The matter can only be solved if the CM intervenes.”

People associated with this supply chain mostly ran it illegally, and none of them have proper govt nod to dig clay from riverbanks. Large amounts of clay used to come from Diamond Harbour and Canning, but locals involved in the business have now been asked to halt operations, and only those with a licence can continue their work.

A local from Madirbazar in South 24 Parganas, who used to supply clay to artisans, said, “This is our family business. I took over after my father, and whenever we tried to get a licence, we were denied. Now we are being asked to show govt permission, but who will provide us permission for digging from riverbanks? I don’t know how to run my family.”

Local labourers associated with this work have lost jobs, and many have moved to other places out of fear. Another supply dealer said, “No one had questioned us about permission, and this was a sacred job that we used to do. If it is suddenly stopped, then the entire industry will suffer.”

BOX

Why clay from Hooghly river bed is important?

Clay is the essential material used to make the base after preparing the foundation skeleton with bamboo and layers of straw. Clay is applied as a base layer; after it dries, clay from the river bed is used to make a finer layer to shape the idol.