Rough year ahead for Kumartuli artisans as they eye losses of Rs 5 crore

Kolkata: The artisans in Kumartuli as well as other idol workshops in and around the city are eyeing a huge loss in view of the ongoing pandemic situation in the state.

According to the artisans of Kumartuli, they are expecting a loss this year not less than Rs 5 crore, as the financial structure will be in a mess after the COVID-19 pandemic ends. Several orders of Annapurna idols have been cancelled and the artisans also had to allow their labourers to go back to their homes.

The situation in the workshops is likely to improve at least a month after the COVID-19 scenario normalises.

Naba Kumar Pal, an eminent idol maker on Monday informed that the convention is to make idols of Goddess Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati before commencing the work for Durga Puja.

As Goddess Kali is worshipped under different rituals almost throughout the year, artisans usually make several idols in advance. But due to the pandemic situation, the artisans had to allow the labourers to leave for their homes, which would affect production even after the situation becomes normal.

As most of the profit is earned from the Durga Idols, artisans are expected to focus on the same to minimise the loss as much as possible.

"Each of the major artisans is expected to face a loss of Rs 50 lakh each. Also, it is quite natural that the Puja committees will curtail their budgets this year, which is a major problem for us," said Naba Kumar.

Another artisan identified as Parimal Pal stated that he had made five Annapurna idols on the basis of the orders placed earlier. But owing to the present situation, all the orders were cancelled despite the idols being ready.

He also informed that the table work for the theme Pujas has been done already. Now if the Puja committees curtail their budgets, the whole thing needs to be rearranged.

Saswata Basu, general secretary of Forum for Durgotsav, informed that they have requested the Puja committees to help the artisans in this situation. Already the forum has delivered essential commodities like rice and other food grains in Kalighat and will deliver the same to the artisans of Kumartuli on Tuesday.