From the archive record
Idol making is an ancient India art. Here we see a man making an idol - giving shape to it and placing mud over hay to create the super-structure of the idol, as part of a religious celebration of the Bengalis, prior to Durga Puja. Kumortuli is a traditionally potters' quarter in northern Kolkata (previously known as Calcutta), the capital of the east Indian state of West Bengal. By virtue of their artistic productions these potters have moved from obscurity to prominence. This Kolkata neighbourhood, not only supplies clay idols of Hindu gods and goddesses to barowari pujas in Kolkata and its neighbourhoods, but a number of idols are exported.It is one of the seven wonders in Kolkata. Kumortuli images are generally ordered well in advance and there a few for off-the-shelf sale. Nowadays, K