Covid-induced economic slowdown poses threat to potters in Kolkata

The idol makers or potters in West Bengal have been hit hard by the COVID-19 lockdowns. Many Community Puja Committees have also drastically curtailed their budgets because of economic slowdown. The potters are feeling helpless and apprehending huge losses this time.

Kolkata: For ages Kumortuli, the hub of idol making in North Kolkata, becomes extremely busy during this time of the year because of the pressure to complete timely delivery of the Durga Puja idols throughout the city. The pressure is often to complete the deliveries from outside the state and at times outside the country too.

But this year, less than three months ahead of the festive season the regular busy ambience at Kumortuli is missing. Following the Covid-induced economic slowdown, many Community Puja Committees have drastically curtailed their budgets and also reduced the size of the idols. Many committees are yet to place orders. The orders from outside the state or country too are lesser this time. The potters are feeling helpless and apprehending huge losses this time.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, a section of potters said the first problem is that because of the suspension of the local train services many workers from the districts are unable to come to Kolkata to help them. "Less than three months are left for the Pujas. If we get the orders now, it will be difficult for us to complete the delivery of the idols on time," said one such potter.

They said that since Covid is a global phenomenon, orders for idols from other states and other countries have also dried down. "Besides from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru, we used to receive orders from other countries like London, USA and Switzerland, among others. But the number of orders from other states and countries has drastically come down this year," another potter said.

The community puja organizers are facing some typical problems for which they are unable to place orders in time this year. "We have to organize the pujas this year as per the guidelines issued by the state health department. But the state government is yet to issue any guidelines. We do not know what the maximum height of the idol or pandal will be. So we are waiting for that," a Puja organizer said.

Indrajit Pal, one of the famous potters said that the impact of Covid-19 is already being felt for this year's Puja too. "That is why we have not had enough orders yet. Many of the Puja committee members have enquired. But very few placed the final order. We have the capacity to supply both huge and small idols. We can even deliver idols up to nine feet tall. Even last year the impact of COVID-19 was there but no one stopped the Puja. But this year there had been a drastic reduction in puja budgets. Naturally, we have been affected by that," he said.

The potter of Kumortuli also used to get ample orders for Laxmi Puja and Kali Puja during normal times but the situation is different this year. The potters are hoping for normalcy to resume and the economy to revive so that Kumortuli gets back to its original rhythm during pujas.