Artistes’ touch turns clay idols into epitomes of exquisite beauty

Centring on the Sharadiya Durga festival, idol-makers are working from dawn to dusk at 1,357 mandaps across Tangail. A festive mood prevails in every Hindu household across the district as they prepare to celebrate the occasion.

At each mandap in Tangail, the touch of artistes’ hands is turning clay idols into symbols of exquisite beauty ahead of the universal Sharadiya Durga festival. Simultaneously, various preparations are underway day and night at the temples to make the festival complete.

The initial work of crafting the figures of Goddess Durga along with Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesh and Mahishasura using bamboo, wood, straw and clay has nearly been completed. In some places, the final stage of clay coating and intricate work is ongoing, while in others, the last strokes of paint and brush are being applied to the idols. Afterwards, the idols will be adorned with ornaments and decorations before being taken to the mandaps.

The formalities of Durga Puja will begin on 16 October with the installation of the Kalash on Maha Shashthi. Prior to that, Maha Panchami will be observed on 15 October, Shashthi Puja on 16 October, Maha Saptami on 17-18 October and Maha Ashtami on 19 October. Maha Nabami will be held on 20 October, and the Sharadiya Durga  festival will conclude with the immersion ceremony on 21 October.

Centring on the Sharadiya Durga festival, every puja mandap across the district’s 12 upazilas is being decorated, while a mood of worship and festivity prevails in every Hindu household. 

According to the District Puja Celebration Front, the Sharadiya Durga festival will be held at a total of 1,357 puja mandaps in the district. Among them, 60 mandaps will host Durga Puja in Madhupur upazila, 36 in Dhanbari, 94 in Ghatail, 182 in Kalihati, 57 in Gopalpur, 34 in Bhuapur, 233 in Tangail Sadar, 138 in Nagarpur, 128 in Delduar, 270 in Mirzapur, 81 in Basail and 44 in Sakhipur.

During a visit to Sri Sri Kalibari, Adalatpara, Thanapara, Sabalia, Registripara, Collegepara and Paradisepara puja mandaps in the Tangail town, it was observed that idol-making work is nearing completion. 

After crafting the figures of Durga, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Kartik and Ganesh on bamboo and wooden frames with straw, artisans are now applying paint and brush strokes. Artistes are labouring tirelessly to perfectly depict the eyes, faces, clothing and various ornament designs of the idols.

Idol-maker Nishi Kanta Pal said they await the work of crafting Durga’s idol with eager anticipation every year at this time. The clay work on the idol is nearly finished, and the painting work is now underway.

He said profits from idol-making have declined considerably due to the rise in raw material prices. This year, he is working on five idols. He is making idols at Bara Kalibari and Registripara in the Tangail town, as well as in Sirajganj, Noakhali and Alfadanga in Faridpur. Depending on the size and nature of the work, he charges between Tk 1 lakh and Tk 1.5 lakh as wages for making small and large idols.

Meanwhile, the puja mandap at the ancestral home of Ranada Prasad Saha, the Asia-renowned philanthropist and founder of Kumudini Hospital in Mirzapur Upazila, is the largest mandap in the upazila. This mandap buzzes with the arrival of VIPs from home and abroad. The idol-making work at this mandap is being done by Achinta Pal, son of Chandra Pal of Nauhatta Village in Sripur Upazila of Magura District.

Idol artist Achinta Pal said he is making idols at the Sahapara and Madhyapara public mandaps in Mirzapur. He will receive Tk 1 lakh as remuneration for this. In addition, he has made idols for the Loknath Temple in Pathrail of Delduar upazila in Tangail.

Amal Banerjee, President of the District Puja Celebration Front, said all their preparations are nearing completion to celebrate the Durga Puja, the largest festival of Hindus, peacefully. A meeting of the puja celebration committee with the deputy commissioner and district police has been held regarding overall security and preparations for the upcoming Durga Puja.

He said that alongside police administration and Ansar members, their volunteer workers will also perform duties at every puja mandap. He expressed hope that, like every year, this year’s Durga Puja will be held peacefully with widespread enthusiasm and everyone’s participation.

Superintendent of Police Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar said special security measures have been taken. Regular meetings between the police administration and Hindu community leaders are being held to ensure the smooth and peaceful completion of  puja. Intelligence activities have also been increased across the district centring on Durga Puja, he added.