Showers in Kolkata send Kumartuli artisans scurrying for cover

KOLKATA: Frequent shower spells in the past 48 hours have send idols makers in Kumartuli, the artisans' enclave in north Kolkata, scurrying for cover. This is the peak season for idol makers who are in the process of giving shape to clay models for various pujas starting from September.
Many have shifted work indoors to their studios while others have set up canopies on the streets to protect idols from the rain.Orders for Viswakarma, Ganesh and Durga idols have already come in and idol makers are busy making them to meet the deadlines.
"Till a few days ago the weather was very conducive for our work as there was hardly any rain. Clay models were drying up very well. But the frequent spells of rain in the past few days have spelt trouble. We have had to move everything indoors so that the idols don't get damaged," said Bikash Pal, an idol maker in Kumartuli.
Ganesh Puja is in the second week of September followed by Biswakarma Puja in the third week of September. Durga Puja starts in the third week of October with Kali Puja/Diwali two weeks after that.
Kumartuli has over 500 idol makers who make the bulk of idols for most pujas in Kolkata and its suburbs. Most big pujas are scheduled between mid-September and mid-November so idol makers only have a few more weeks to complete the orders and start making deliveries on time.
"This is a very crucial period as most idols have started taking shape and we need to dry them thoroughly before we move onto the next process," said another idol maker in Kumartuli.
"If it continues to rain in the coming weeks we might have to arrange for pedestal fans and blowtorches to finish the work on time," said Mala Pal, a woman idol maker in Kumartuli.