Kumartuli- The Potter's Area

Kumortuli is a traditionally potters’ quarter in northern Kolkata (previously known as Calcutta), the capital of the East Indian state of West Bengal. By virtue of their artistic productions these potters have moved from obscurity to prominence. This Kolkata neighbourhood, not only supplies clay idols of Hindu gods and goddesses to barowari pujas in Kolkata and its neighbourhoods, but a number of idols are also exported. It is one of the seven wonders in Kolkata.

Idol make over

 The potters of Kumortuli, who fashioned the clay from the river beside their home into pots to be sold at Sutanuti Bazar (later Burrabazar) were very poor and managed to survive in the area. Gradually they took to making the images of gods and goddesses, worshipped in large numbers in the mansions all around and later at community pujas in the city and beyond. Kumortuli images are generally ordered well in advance and there a few for off-the-shelf sale. Nowadays, Kumortuli’s clientele has extended to America, Europe and Africa, among the Indian communities living there. In modern times, Statues and replicas made out of Fiberglass are also being produced and exported to various parts of the country and the world.

Woman Power

In Kolkata, the icon-artisans mostly dwell in poor living conditions. The more popular among them are Mohan Banshi Rudra Pal and his sons Sanatan Rudra Pal and Pradip Rudra Pal, Rakhal Pal, Ganesh Pal, Aloke Sen, Kartik Pal, Kena Pal, who are still reigning figures of Kumortuli and despite the threats from the ‘theme artists’, they are booked by major puja organisers who admire the old school. 

Women’s do not lag behind either.

Maa Durga

Come Durga Puja, their creations will hold the entire city of Kolkata... This is, after all, a back-breaking time for the artisans of Kumartuli. The god makers here in Kumartuli are well known for their traditional image-making and potteries.

Did you know ?

• Most of the artisans living in the north Kolkata neighbourhoods dwindled in numbers or even vanished, as they were pushed out of the area in the late nineteenth century by the invasion from Burrabazar.

• In 1989, Durga images made out of shola pith by Amarnath Ghosh were flown to Sweden, Australia, Malaysia and Nigeria.

•  Kumortuli boasts of the presence of some 30-odd women-artisans.

Debarati Roy Chowdhury

PGPMC

2nd sem