Agartala, September 26: With Durga Puja approaching, the workshops of traditional idol makers in Kalyanpur have become increasingly busy. Yet, behind the seasonal rush lies a growing concern among artisans, who say higher prices of raw materials, rising wages and a shortage of skilled workers are leaving them with little room for profit.
Bhuban Rudrapal, a veteran artisan from Kalyanpur Bazar Colony, has witnessed the changes closely during his nearly 20 years in the profession. He entered idol-making after his earlier work as a fish vendor failed to provide his family with sufficient income.
Rudrapal used to travel to tribal-dominated areas to sell fish. While continuing the trade, he learned clay idol-making from his brother-in-law. With time, he left fish vending and began working exclusively as an idol maker, developing his own designs at his home workshop.
“I learned the craft of making idols from clay from my brother-in-law while continuing to sell fish. Later, I left fish vending and took up idol-making full-time. I would make idols at home according to my own designs,” he said.
His work gradually became known in Kalyanpur and neighbouring areas. He has made idols of several deities, including Manasa, Kali, Vishwakarma, Loknath, Bipadnashini, Durga and Lakshmi. During the peak season, customers would regularly approach him with orders.
However, maintaining the craft has become more expensive.
Clay, straw, bamboo and paint are among the materials whose prices have increased, while labour costs have also risen. For artisans who depend on seasonal orders, the combined increase has directly affected their earnings.
“Compared to earlier, the cost of raw materials has increased significantly. Labour expenses have also gone up. The biggest problem is that it has become difficult to find skilled workers. After meeting all the expenses, there is very little profit left from making an idol,” Rudrapal said.
The pandemic also affected the traditional craft severely. Restrictions on Puja celebrations during the COVID-19 period reduced the number of orders and disrupted the income of artisans dependent on festival-related work.
Rudrapal said government assistance could help address some of the difficulties confronting the sector. He highlighted the need for support in procuring raw materials, accessing financial assistance, developing skilled manpower and creating better avenues for marketing traditional products.
Despite the challenges, the approach of Durga Puja has revived activity at his workshop. Rudrapal has secured orders for Maa Durga idols from different parts of Kalyanpur and several tribal-dominated areas.
He is currently working long hours to complete the idols ahead of the festival, balancing traditional craftsmanship with the pressure of meeting deadlines.
For Rudrapal, idol-making remains both a livelihood and a craft built over years of experience. But he fears that unless the economic difficulties are addressed, fewer young people may be willing to enter the profession.
He said affordable raw materials, financial support, skill-development opportunities and improved market access could help traditional artisans continue their work and preserve the craft for future generations.
As Kalyanpur prepares for the festive season, Rudrapal remains at his workshop, turning clay, straw and bamboo into idols — hoping that the tradition will endure despite the mounting cost of keeping
