As the frenzy of Durga Puja themes grips over the city, the role of artisans at Kumartuli, who shape the idols, gets overshadowed by the theme-makers, some of whom have now acquired celebrity status. After working tirelessly through many days and waking nights, they end up getting no recognition.
A large number of these artisans and their families face economic hardships and even have health issues working in unhygienic conditions. Well-known cardiac surgeon Dr Kunal Sarkar highlighted the issue that ambulances cannot enter Kumartuli due to space constraints. They even lack any health centre or a chemist shop in the area. Dr Debraj Jash, a pulmonologist, talked about respiratory problems these artisans face which he found out during a survey many years ago done during his student days.
The experts were talking about their experiences on Kumartuli during a felicitation ceremony of some known and many unknown artists of Kumartuli by the Manipal Hospitals in the city. The heal hub has decided to follow up on the health of these artisans through regular free health camps and health cards for them. Artists like Babu Pal, Sujit Pal, Pradip De, Subhas Pal, Samir Pal and many more were felicitated. Mala Pal, the only female artist at the event, decorated a miniature structure. Someone, who specialises on miniature idols, Mala Pal said her most expensive works this year are going to Konnagar and Belur. For her overseas orders, she has dispatched them to the United Kingdom and Italy.
A President’s Award winner and Sharad Samman recipient, Mala started making idols when she was 14 years old, after learning her craft from her father. Narrating her struggle, Mala said, “Today this recognition means a lot to me. But I have spent many years in penury, not managing to eat proper meals at times.” Artists like Subhas Pal and Samir Pal have similar stories to narrate but feel happy that the doctors have assured help.
Dr Ayanabh Debgupta, RCOO (east) said: “We have noticed that Indians inherently have bad health and this has a direct bearing on the health of the nation. We feel that as a hospital we have a responsibility to keep the society healthy. This initiative is part of our neighbourhood programme. Under the state’s Swasthya Sathi scheme, we have treated around 18,000 people in the last year.”
Sharing anecdotes on Kumartuli, Dr Kunal Sarkar said he used to visit Kumartuli holding his father’s hand and see Ramesh Pal at work. “My memory tells me the first Durga Puja was celebrated in 1610. Many may not know that the actual idol of Dhaka Kali Bari still is been preserved in Kumartuli and worshipped,” he said.