Unfinished idols at a workshop
“We are caught in fear of damage that can happen to the idols due to moisture,” said Mintu Pal, adviser to the Kumartuli Mritshilpo Sanskritik Samity. The weather has played the spoilsport at this critical time of the year, which is crucial for drying of the idols. Rain has also increased the risk of damage.
Babu Pal, secretary of the Samity, said though electric fans were being used in the workshops, those were no alternative to traditional sun-drying. It has been raining most of the days, delaying crucial work,” said Pal. If the process of drying the clay structures gets delayed, the overall work of adorning the idols with paints and accessories will take a hit. “Ganesh Puja is in the second week of Sept and we have to deliver the idols much before that.
Artist Pashupati Rudra Pal said a truckload of river clay that earlier cost around Rs 15,000, now costs at least Rs 22,000.
A sculpting job that normally takes around four hours can now take a day and a half, forcing workshop owners to hire additional labour,” said Pal. “The price of jute twine has also risen sharply. Other raw materials have also turned costlier. Moisture has further increased labour costs.