With Durga Puja just days away, the artisans in the potters’ colonies of Jajpur district look busy giving final touches to idols of Maa Durga and several other images.
This is the period they eagerly wait for every year when they get an opportunity to showcase their talent and make an earning. Rising price of raw material has forced the artisans to increase the price of idols this time.
“Durga Puja is one of the busiest times of the year for the craftsmen. About 50 families of in our village, including men, women and children, contribute their mite to the making of the idols of the gods and goddess during the sundry festival seasons. Some of the craft-persons also do colouring works on the idols. Each puja season we supply about 600 to 1,000 idols of different sizes to puja committees and people,” said Giridhari Behera (56), a craftsman here.
“There were around 140 families engaged in the work of idol making two decades back. But, gradually, the number has started declining due to less income and lack of Government support,” said Nukula Behera (58), an artisan of Kumbharapada.
Artisan Ajaya Behera of the same village complained about the soaring prices of raw material and low quality straw. He said that while the buyers are eyeing for quality idols in less price, it is not possible due to the high input cost.
Some Puja committees placed orders of images of dancing girls and demons etc. to decorate their puja pandals. With just few days to go before the festival, the idol makers are working through the night to make sure that they are ready in time for the festival. larger idol makers often hire artisans who have to work round-the-clock to meet the target. Craftsmen can make up to `250 to `400 a day depending on their skill and area of expertise, said Manoj Behera, an artisan.