CATEGORY: PHOTOGRAPHY/ DOCUMENTARY/ STREET
A PHOTO SERIES
THE SCULPTORS OF MATIGARA
BAGDOGRA, WEST BENGAL
This series goes behind the scenes of the Durga Puja festival, prominently celebrated in the region of Bengal. The preparations for making the idols begin 8-10 months before the festival takes place. It is a long and meticulous process.
The process begins with collecting mud from nearby Mahananda River (a tributary of the holy Ganges). While mud proofs and thickens into a clay consistency, a rough body for the idols is made by tying dried straw with rope onto wooden mounts. Once the mounts are ready, the clay is skillfully sculpted onto it, with intricate and precise detailing.
The heads of the goddesses are crafted separately using molds, awaiting attachment to the main statues in the final stages of production. Months are devoted to the painstaking sculpting process, followed by additional time for the idols to thoroughly dry before they are adorned with vibrant colors, heralding the imminent arrival of the festival.
At the end of the 10 day long festivities, as tradition, these idols are submerged back into the river, and one month on the process starts again.