Rising material costs hit idol-makers hard in Sirajganj

SIRAJGANJ, Sept 12: Idol-makers in Sirajganj are facing financial pressure ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja as prices of bamboo, wood, straw, rope, paint and other materials have increased, while the prices of idols have not risen proportionately.

Artisans across the district's Ullapara, Belkuchi, Tarash, Kamarkhand, Raiganj and Shahjadpur upazilas are now busy making idols for the Hindu community's biggest religious festival.

Using straw, bamboo, wood, rope and clay, the artisans are working long hours as the festival approaches. In several areas, clay work has been completed and artisans are preparing to paint the idols. Some have already stopped accepting new orders due to a shortage of time.

Artisans said more than 250 idols are being made this year in Bhadra Ghat Palpara of Kamarkhand Upazila. Besides meeting local demand, idols from the area will be supplied to Pabna, Bogura, Natore, Tangail and other districts in northern Bangladesh.

A recent visit to idol-making communities in Bhadra Ghat Palpara, Shahjadpur and Belkuchi found artisans working under tight deadlines. Family members, including women and children, are also helping with the work.

Some artisans were making the basic structures with bamboo, wood, straw and rope, while others were shaping the clay figures of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

Idols priced between Tk 30,000 and Tk 1.5 lakh are being made in different workshops.

Srikanta Pal, an artisan from Bhadra Ghat Palpara, said demand for Sirajganj-made idols was high because they are comparatively affordable and of good quality.

“Last year, I made 30 idols. This year, I am making 60. But although demand has increased, the prices of bamboo, wood, rope, paint and workers' wages have also gone up. Idol prices have not increased accordingly, so we are unlikely to make much profit,” he said.

Gopal Chandra Pal, another artisan from the area, said rising costs had made the business increasingly difficult.

“The demand for idols has increased, but everything costs more now. So, we are not making much profit. I cannot leave the profession passed down by my father and grandfather, nor can I easily move to another occupation,” he said.

Women in the families are also helping the artisans alongside household work, he added.

Pintu Pal, an idol maker from Shahjadpur, said artisans remain largely unemployed for most of the year as demand for traditional clay products has declined.

“We somehow manage to run our families with the income we earn by making idols during Durga Puja. But the prices of materials have risen sharply this year, while buyers are unwilling to pay more for idols,” he said.

This year, Durga Puja will be held at 556 temples and puja mandaps across Sirajganj, according to the district administration.

Advocate Sukumar Chandra Das, president of the district unit of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, said preparations were underway to ensure the festival was held peacefully.

He said the organisation was holding discussions with its leaders and officials of the district administration and police regarding the arrangements.

Sirajganj Superintendent of Police Saiful Islam Santu said police would remain vigilant to ensure the celebrations were held peacefully and to prevent any untoward incidents.

“Additional security measures will be taken at particularly important temples and puja mandaps,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Aminul Islam said 556 temples and puja mandaps had been included in the preliminary list for this year's Durga Puja.

“Necessary measures have been taken, including discussions with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders, to ensure the festival is held peacefully,” he said.

The festival will begin with Maha Shasthi on October 16 and conclude with the immersion of idols on Bijoya Dashami on October 21.