Goddess in action mode: Get ready for doomsday this Dussehra

VARANASI: Be prepared to witness the ‘end of the world’ this Durga puja. Going by theme- based idols, a group of artists in the city are busy giving final touch to the moving idol of Goddess Durga and fiery devils, which will together showcase doomsday at a puja pandal at Chetganj area.
According to the main artisan Abhijeet, the concept of doomsday is positive in the theme as it will represent end of all the evils by the end of 2012.“A set of demons who will be shown standing on earth getting buried in ground as the deity will attack on them and backdrop of the earth will turn peaceful thereafter”, informed Abhijeet.
Interestingly, while interacting with artisans in different parts of the city it was realised that after almost two decades of sticking to its traditional roots, the competition among the puja organisers has paved way for experimentation in the themes and ideas for Durga puja idols.
“Most of the idols that I am preparing will be based on some theme. Last year, the idols were inspired by anti-corruption movement as most of the idols represented corruption in the form of demons, this year themes have turned towards mythological background”, shared Gopal Dey. While the demand for meditating idol of Durga has shot up, incidences from mythology like Gods and Goddesses praying to Durga to slay the devils is also a popular theme these days.
Interestingly, if the artisans are to believed, puja committees are demanding idols of lord Shiva also in the theme or in the backdrop of the idol.
Besides, artisans are also experimenting with pattern, style and colour schemes. According to Manoranjan Pal, an artisan at Bhelupur area, oriental and Ajanta inspired idols are high in demand. “The pattern looks very close to marble statues, which are draped with attractive clothing studded with stones and american diamonds. I am currently working on idols for puja pandal at Hathua market, in which a fifteen feet idol of meditating Buddha will be the centre of attraction. At the same time, all the other idols will also have Buddhist touch in colour scheme and pattern”, he added.
Meanwhile, there are no changes in jewellery and clothings of the idols. “Benarasi sarees are now rarely decorated on the idols until and unless as demanded by customers, since affordable sarees for the same purpose are purchased from Kolkata”, informed Gopal Pal, who is busy giving final touch to idols made up of barley for a pandal at Jaitpura area.
Artisans hopeful of profitable earnings
Varanasi: The restriction imposed by district administration on the number of Durga Puja committees may have already caused heavily on earnings of artisans but the trend of theme based idols adoring different puja pandals in the city and even in the outskirts and adjoining districts may prove profitable to artisans this year.
The traditional looking idol, which used to come for Rs 4000 to Rs 5000, giving less profit margin as the cost of bamboos, wood, colours and other articles has shot up, is now not much in demand.
“Puja committees and organisers are in the mood of competition and each year they demand for something unique.
For that purpose, we are updating our scheme and theme every year and prepare idols of different other deities as well, like this year, people have also demanded idols of goddess Kali, lord Shiva, and others”, informed Manoj Kumar, an artisan in Sonarpura area, who further added that with theme based idols they are also getting the opportunity to showcase their artistic approach in preparing the scenery, backdrop, trees, birds and animals and other objects to be displayed in the pandal. Apart from that, theme based idols are selling in the range of Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 and bring good profit margin to bear the higher prices of raw materials and skilled labour cost.