From the archive record
An artisan is painting a silver-coloured Goddess Durga idol beside a roadside wall in Vasant Kunj, Delhi, India. The idol depicts the goddess with multiple arms, an ornate crown, and detailed jewellery, seated on a lion. The artist carefully applies pink highlights to the borders of the goddess’s clothing and decorative ornaments. Another idol stands nearby under protective plastic sheeting, while colourful posters cover the wall behind the work area. The scene captures the hand-painting and finishing work involved in preparing Durga idols for the Durga Puja festival.