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Idol makers busy as Durga Puja knocks on door

Inherited profession of idol making looses apart due to lack of support

Ahmed Humayun Kabir TOPU, Pabna
“Pals'" (idol makers from generation) - are getting busy as Durga Puja; the biggest festival of Hindu community knocks at the door. Pal's business is always at its peak during this time of the year. Despite the decreasing number in this profession there are still some hundred idol makers practicing the traditional profession.
"Over five to six hundred idol makers live in Pabna but most of them left their inherited profession due to lack of support. Leaving inherited profession most of the 'Pal's have chosen other profession." Dhananjoy Kumar Pal, one of the prominent idol makers of Pabna told the Daily Star.
Most of the idol makers remain jobless around the year and only during Durga Puza do we get sufficient work - Dhananjoy said adding that around one hundred idol makers are working in the district this year.
According to district Puja Udzapan Parishad 317 Puja Mondops have organized the Durga Puja festival this year while each idol maker takes contract of idol making for three to four temples.
"I have made statues for five temples in the district headquarters this year. I am charging Taka 20,000 to 50,000 for each idol." Bishnu Pada Pal, an idol maker of Faridpur upazila told the Daily Star. He is making idol in Joykali Temple, central temple of the district.
I do not have income rest of the year, this is the season for my annual income; he
said adding that after constructing the shape of the idols we will start decoration from next week.
President of Ishwardi upazila Puja Udzapan Parishad, Ramendranath Chakrabarti said the decoration for temple and preparation of other festivities of Durga Puja being performed as the puja knocks at the door.
"Decoration of temples, lightings and stages have already began to achieve the festival look of Durga Puja. The Hindu community are getting busy to celebrate the biggest religious festival;" Ramedranath said.
Gonesh Chandra Ghosh; president of Pabna district Puja Udzapan Parishad said Durga Puja would be held in 317 Puja temples this year.
District administration and district police administration has taken prepara-
tion for holding a peaceful festival Gonesh added. A meeting was held at the Pabna deputy commissioner office and Pabna police superintendent office recently to observe the Durga festival peacefully he said.
"After getting the shape of the idol we will give it a finishing touch from 5th October onwards. We are determined to put the best decoration to attract the viewers." veteran artisan Dhananjoy Kumar Pal said adding that this is not only a business but also an art of decoration.
We need support to keep our inherited profession and traditional art of idol making for the sake of heritage idol makers urged unless inherited artistic profession might be destroyed for time being.