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The God Makers of Kumartuli
Context:
Kumartuli in Kolkata, the Locality of the Potters, is a vibrant centre of artistic excellence.
About Kumartuli:
- Kumartuli is home to a community of traditional idol makers and sculptors in Bengal.
- By virtue of their artistic productions, these potters have moved from obscurity to prominence.
- Kumartuli’s artists and idol makers make clay idols of various Hindu gods and goddesses for various festivals.
- They supply clay idols of Hindu gods and goddesses to barowari pujas in Kolkata and its neighbourhoods, and also export a number of idols.
- The unique cultural value of clay idol-making is derived from the age-old knowledge and skills of the idol-makers.
- The graceful face of the Goddess Durga is being carved by the skilful hands of an artisan of Kumartuli using mud clay and raw materials like hay, rice husk, coconut fibre and jute twine.
- Kumartuli is a unique repository of traditional cultural knowledge and is one of the seven wonders in Kolkata.
Models in Kumartuli:
- Clay Model
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- Serve more than 300 clay models/idols in several pandels, and home puja every year.
- Fiber Model
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- It is the latest part of Kumartuli.
- The advantage of fiber is the lightweight & unbreakable and is easy to export.
- Glass Model
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- Main part of interior decoration.
- Home / Office / Shop etc are the main consumers of glass models.
- It is not so handy but the beauty of a glass model is unbeatable.
- Terracotta Model
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- Clay-based unglazed or glazed ceramic, where the fired body is porous.
- Another term for terracotta is Poramati.
- Many household products and showpieces are part of terracotta.
- It is the most historical part of Kumartuli.