Muslim, Hindu artisans craft Ayodhya Ram idols

KOLKATA: Renowned for their skill in fibreglass sculpture, two Muslim artisans from Duttapukur, around 37km from Kolkata in North 24 Parganas district, have crafted idols of Ram for the Ram Mandir temple complex in Ayodhya. The idols have already been dispatched, well ahead of the January 22 inauguration of the temple.

Md Jamaluddin (53), and his son Md Alauddin (24), along with 25 workers crafted the two life-size statues of Lord Ram at the ‘Bittu Fibre’ workshop off Jessore Road at Duttapukur’s Digha checkpost.

The locality is known for fibreglass craftsmanship and has over 50 workshops where fibreglass figurines are made. “Duttapukur craftsmen showcase Bengal’s rich artistic heritage and cultural tapestry,” said Sheikh Sabir Ali, another local fibre sculpture.

Sourav Roy, another artisan from Duttapukur, has also gone to Ayodhya to work on the complex that will be decked up for the mega inauguration. Though fibreglass statues are more expensive than clay, the former is preferred as they are more durable and resistant to weather conditions.

According to Sourav’s family members, Sourav is there on a temporary assignment and will return after the temple inauguration.

On being a Muslim and crafting idols, Jamaluddin remarked, “Religion is a personal thing. The message is simple: for communal harmony, we all have to stay together. We felt happy making the statue of Lord Ram and are also proud of our work that would be displayed in the famous Ram Mandir. This culture of brotherhood is my message as an artist.”

(Inputs from Shalabh)