Tech-savvy artisans sell idols via net

Kolkata: For years artisans in West Bengal have sold statutes of Goddess Durga through their tiny workshops often covered with tents. But hardly any of them would have ever thought that the modern technology could have a success mantra in store for them too.

In the latest addition to the net-savvy community, artisans in West Bengal are selling idols of Goddess Durga via Internet, ensuring off-season income for their families.

Though the annual Durga Puja festivities are months away, these artisans are all engrossed to finish their assignments on time. Artisans in Kumartuli, Kolkata are busy sculpting idols of Goddess Durga these days.

Clients from abroad have begun to order these idols on the net because of which sculptors have adequate time to complete their orders.

All this could be made possible courtesy Pradyut Pal, hailing from a family involved in sculpting for generations, who took the initiative to come up with a website.

Clients go through the catalogue on the website, make their choice, and even pay via the Internet.

Earlier people living abroad had no other alternative but to come to Kumartuli and order the idols. But with increasing usage of the Internet, it has become very easy for them to book idols from any corner of the globe.

"We have our website where people can refer to the catalogue of the idols and order the same. The idol is then delivered to the place of their choice. So they do not have to travel at all,” said Pradyut Pal.

The innovative use of computer to exhibit one's work has come as a major boost for these poor but exceptionally talented sculptors.

The artists say they are happy with this new development, as they are financially sound even during the off-season.

"Durga idols are going abroad these days, we are sending idols to the US, UK, Japan and Australia. We are getting jobs in the off-season, so this is a big financial support for us", an artisan Ratan Chakraborty said.

With need and convenience, however, clients now prefer idols made of fibreglass or papier mache as these are light and unbreakable. But require a lot more time and effort to make than the usual clay idols.

"We had sent the first Durga idol abroad, to London, around 12 years back.

Now, most of the countries where there are a considerable number of Bengalis order these idols from us. This time we are sending idols to Australia, Switzerland and Japan. The idols sent are made of either papier mache or fibre glass as such materials are easy to carry," another artisan, Gopal Chandra Pal said.

With the Bengali community residing in various parts of the world, the connectivity of local artisans through Internet has brought good news for all. And the artisans are leaving no stone unturned to cash-in on the new phenomenon.