Veenapani idol artists in Shyamnagar putting finishing touches on their idols
Ranjit Barman, Shyamnagar (Satkhira)
It is a common saying in our society that there are thirteen festivals in the twelve months of the Hindu community.
Accordingly, after Durga Puja, Kali Puja, and Lakshmi Puja, Bagdevi Saraswati Puja has come. Saraswati Puja will be held on February 3. Due to the tithi, many people will perform the puja since it is Panchami from noon on February 2 this year. Idol-making artists are spending a busy time on the occasion of this puja. Many are putting the finishing touches on their idols.
Meanwhile, Saraswati idol-making artists, who have been hoping for Mercury all year, said that the puja will bring them financial relief.
Saraswati idol-making artist Sunil Chakraborty, a resident of Shankarkati village in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira, said that the orders he has received are orders for family and institutional pujas. Last year, he made 60 idols, big and small. 46 were sold. This year, he received 30 to 35 orders. This year, he made idols last year, and this year, he has painted them with new soil. He said that he has been associated with this profession for thirty years.
This year, he has set the price of a large idol at 3,000 taka, a medium idol at 1,600 taka, a one-hand and one-mute idol at 1,200 taka and a small idol at 800 taka. This time, he has set the price of the idol higher than last time. He said the reason for this is the increase in the price of goods and the increase in the wages of the workers.
Last time, the price of a small idol was 600 taka, the price of a medium idol was 1,300 to 1,400 taka, and the price of a five-poya idol was 1,000 taka. He and four others are involved in this work. He said that the daily wage of each person is 500 to 700 taka. He said that due to the increase in the price of the materials of the idol, the profit share is very low or does not remain the same.
He said that the current price of materials is 30 taka per baht, now it is 70 to 80 taka per baht, the hair of the idol was 220 taka per baht, now it is 500 taka. He told this reporter that the price of other materials including the cut, twine, nails, clothes and other materials used to make the idol has increased. He said that the materials used to make the idol are postal stamps. Which are made in India. He said that the price of the paint used on the idol has also increased. Sunil Chakraborty is making the idol by renting a place in a house in Badghata village of Shyamnagar. His wife Chandana Chakraborty and son Sakumar Chakraborty are working day and night to make the idol.
Prabhash Mandal, a resident of Bhurulia UP, Nishit of Jelekhali village, and Palash Mandal of Khosalkhali village, who are making the idol in Badghata village, said that they will face financial losses due to not getting a large number of orders to make the idols. Apart from this, the idol artists are very worried about the increase in the price of materials and the increase in wages. Both the artists said that idol artists are facing financial losses due to the increase in the price of materials. Many said that due to this, they are spending less time in this profession and more time in other professions.
Many artists expressed their opinion and said that it seems that it will not be possible to earn a living in this profession anymore. Meanwhile, experts said that since idol artists are affected, it is necessary to take government and private initiatives to sustain their profession.
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