Puja season is a time when the autumn colours overtake the sky, the streets are adorned with dazzling lights, and people bedecked in finery gather around a deity to worship and celebrate. The essence of autumn brings with it the puja season. This joyful time is the harbinger of divine festivity and exuberance—a metamorphosis of the spiritual being.
A tradition that has survived for many generations and continues to be an important part of the Puja preparations is the creation of clay idols. This act is deeply rooted in the land’s cultural and spiritual fabric. Bengal clay idols handmade by artisans, particularly for Durga Puja, aren’t just meant for worship; they aren’t merely a symbol of religion. They embody years of dedication and passion, unbelievable artistry, and preservation of a heritage that has shaped the history of our home.
The process of creating Bengal clay idols is long and laborious. If you see the workshop of an artist who makes these intricate clay sculptures, you’ll realise how long the entire process takes. Some artists spend months or even years on these idols. This time-honoured tradition is upheld with reverence and patience by skilled artisans, known as ‘patuas’ or ‘kumbhars’. Straw, rice husk, tamarind seeds, and jute fibres are used by potters to create these divine sculptures. Each arm and head is carved meticulously and laid out in the sun. These parts will soon be turned into gods and goddesses that capture the majesty of Durga, Saraswati, Durga, and Ganesh.
It begins with a straw frame, which serves as a skeleton for the sculptures. The frames are then set up according to the style, like ek-chala or do-chala. After a primary structure has been built, clay is dug from the riverbed of the holy river Ganga and is prepared until it reaches the perfect consistency. This is achieved by pounding and kneading the clay until it is malleable enough to sculpt. This clay, or ‘etel maati,’ is mixed with rice husk and applied to the straw skeleton. After this step, the sculpture is laid out to sundry.
When the clay is dry, the artisans fill out the cracks using strips of cloth. The process continues until a smooth base has been achieved. After this, another layer of clay is applied to the first. This clay is called ‘bele maati’. It is a very fine-grained clay that gives the clay idol a smooth and rounded look. After this, the more detailed parts of the idol are tackled, like the details of the face and fingers, etc., and left out to dry again.
Once the clay idol has dried, the painting begins. First, a base coat of white water-soluble paint mixed with a sticky layer of tamarind seed paste is applied on the surface of the clay idol. Later, a variety of paint hues are used to embellish the sculpture.
The final step involves adding details like nylon hair, lashes, and accessories like jewellery and clothes to the deity to make it appear more lifelike.
Since it is such a long and arduous process, preparations begin before puja season. This meticulous craftsmanship not only ensures the idol’s aesthetic appeal but also aligns with the spiritual significance of the puja.
Bengal clay idols take centre stage during the puja season. One of the most important is the Durga Puja, celebrated with aplomb in West Bengal when Maa Durga is venerated and worshipped with devotion. Even homes set up private puja services with smaller clay idols. Big pandals are also built in every community, which serve as a centre for rituals, prayers, and performances.
Worshippers visit pandals and present offerings to the deity. At the end of the puja season, the deity is immersed in water, a gesture that signifies the departure of the gods and goddesses.
Traditional Bengal clay idols are made with biodegradable materials and cause no harm to the environment, which makes them safe and sustainable. Since deities are immersed in natural water bodies, using synthetic materials damages the ecosystem.
Modern artisans who work on these clay sculptures only utilise natural and non-toxic resources to make idols. Even environmentalists have started to promote sustainable materials and techniques to make clay idols.
The Bengali clay idols that adorn the festivities are an important part of the colourful and spiritually enlightening Puja season. These works of art are more than just accent pieces; they serve as a reminder of the festival's rich cultural legacy, outstanding artistic talent, and unified passion. You may help preserve a beloved custom that inspires and unites communities year after year by recognising and supporting the artists who create these idols. You can find recreations of these majestic bengal clay idols at The Bengal Store, made by local artisans.
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