About Kumartuli

Kumartuli, also known as Coomartolly, is a pottery district in North Kolkata, West Bengal. The location is well-known for its artistic work that employs eco-friendly natural clay, bamboo, dry straw, mud, and soil to create the best idols for Hindu festivals. 

EAST INDIA COMPANY’s INVOLVEMENT IN SHAPING KUMARTULI

It dates back to the Colonial Era when the first British settlers arrived in Kolkata, India. As a result, the natives took shelter in Gobindapur, Sutanuti, and Kalikata, which were merged by the East India Company (EIC) to form Kolkata. Howell, an East India Company surgeon, was asked to divide the districts for the EIC's workmen's quarters separately. Suriparah (wine sellers), Collohtollah (oilmen), Chuttarparah (carpenters), Aheeritollah (cowherds), Coomartolly (potters), and so on were divided into quarters based on their occupation. That’s how the potters’ district came into existence. 

The artisans used to live in the northern part of Central Kolkata since the establishment of the place. However, the artisans were forced to leave the area due to the newly formed division of Burrabazar. The clay artists then took refuge near the Hooghly River, where they used the natural clay to create pots and clay idols of gods and goddesses for worship, which were later used in community pujas in and around Kolkata. Every year, the potters of Kumortuli make a living by sculpting these idols.    

KUMORTULI: GOD'S RESIDENCE

When it comes to celebrating various festivals within the Indian subcontinent, India is a melting pot of cultures. From Eid to Diwali, and from Christmas to Lohri, people of various religious backgrounds celebrate each festival with zeal. Back in Kolkata, potters in Kumortuli begin their karigari of sculpting idols from June to January, depending on which festival arrives first. Because Durga Puja is the most important festival in West Bengal, artisans begin their work 2-3 months before the start of the 5-day rituals and triumphs, i.e. just after Rath Yatra. The rest of the idols are created based on the requirements. These are made by using natural clay, bamboo, dry straw, mud, and soil.

HOW DO IDOL MAKERS PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY DURING DURGA PUJA?

The artisans in Kumartuli begin sculpting the idols 2 to 3 months before the puja. According to Hindu rituals, potters must perform a Garani Kathamo Puja (celebrated on Rath yatra). During this puja, they worship all of their tools and equipment, as well as Lord Ganesh and Goddess Laxmi (Hindu deities), and then choose clothing and accessories based on the idol.

To make the idol's base, the artisans use highly sustainable raw materials such as hay, rice husk, coconut fibre, and jute twine. After gathering all of the necessary raw materials, the artisans begin their magical artistry.

• First and foremost, the idol-makers tie the idol together with bamboo and dry straws to form a rigid framework of the model.
• After checking the authenticity of the framework, they begin applying natural clay to give the idol a more precise look of Goddess Durga and all the other four Hindu gods and goddesses, namely Lord Ganesha, Goddess Laxmi, Goddess Saraswati, and Lord Kartika.
• The idols are then left outside in the sun to dry naturally, without the use of any artificial means. Two to three days after the idols have completely dried, the artisans begin coloring them with organic paints with great care. When the color has dried, they begin to dress and accessorize the idols.
• Meanwhile, the preparation period is coming to an end, and the joyous city of Kolkata is adorned with magnificent lights and pandal (marquee) decorations. Then comes the most difficult task: loading the extremely heavy clay images into trucks and other modes of transportation, such as boats, to transport them to their final yet temporary destination.

The city is now preparing to celebrate Kolkata's largest festival, but the streets of Kumartuli are deserted. There is a deafening silence as the arrival of puja signals the end of preparations. For more than 300 years, the traditional artists of Kumartuli have managed to keep these sentiments alive, and it will continue to be one of the most treasured places in West Bengal, India. To combat the potentially disastrous environmental consequences, artisans are increasingly turning to eco-friendly materials.

A DETAILED LOOK AT THE SUSTAINABILITY OF RAW MATERIALS USED BY POTTERS.

The storyline that takes us through the future environmental scenario is full of hazardous consequences. If steps are not taken to halt the condition at its initial stage, we may face serious environmental problems. In such difficult times, celebrating festivals that are not environmentally friendly can add fuel to an already raging fire. Kumartuli artisans have always used eco-friendly materials to create their idols.

• SOIL AND COW DUNG:  Goddess Durga's clay idol is said to be incomplete if the chief artisan does not use brothel soil, cow dung, cow urine, and mud from the banks of River Ganga while making her idol, according to Hindu Vedas. The soil used in the preparation is a complex mix of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that all work together to sustain life. Cow dung cake is a renewable and sustainable energy source. Dung cakes can be used to protect the environment from fossil fuels, charcoal, fuelwood, firewood, etc.

• BAMBOO AND DRY STRAW: The artisan employs highly sustainable materials such as bamboo and dry straws. They are used to construct the clay idol's rigid framework. Bamboo is a very long-lasting crop. It is a fast-growing grass that does not require fertilizers or pesticides to thrive. It even regenerates on its own from its roots, eliminating the need for replanting. It is completely biodegradable, antifungal, and antibacterial. A special type of dry straw is said to be brought from Sundarbans specifically for this purpose.  

• TRADITIONAL CLAY: Kumartuli's god-makers sculpt the idols with two types of clay. The first is entel mati (sticky black clay), and the second is Ganga mati (soft white clay from the river bed). As potters used to live near the banks of the Hooghly River in the early days. It was simple for them to gather clay from the river bed. The West Bengal Pollution Control Board issued a set of guidelines to idol makers. They prohibited the use of Plaster of Paris, burnt clay commonly used to make idols. Previously, plastics were used to deck out idols. The board later prohibited this because it clotted and contaminated rivers during immersions. Potters then used organic cotton sarees, dhotis, and jute twines to create Durga and other deities' costumes.

HOW DOES PANDAL DESIGN AND DÉCOR SHOWCASE SUSTAINABILITY?

Durga Puja is becoming more eco-friendly. Not only are the idols made of environmentally friendly materials, but the pandal (marquee) designs and décor do as well. Kolkata, as well as other Indian states, are banding together to support the environmental cause. Different committee leaders are doing so because, during festivals such as Durga Puja, there is a large influx of commoners throughout the country, particularly in Kolkata. If they continue to use non-biodegradable items to decorate the pandals, the streets will become clogged and water bodies will be contaminated after the idol is immersed and the empty pandals are removed. As a result, the organizers are promoting this worthy cause with the assistance of the state government. 

To control noise pollution, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board has strictly prohibited the use of large speakers inside pandals in Kolkata. The Board has even prohibited the use of single-use plastics within and around the pandal. Many theme-based pandals also promote sustainability by incorporating jute and hay into their décor. Some propose the slogan "Go Green, Save the Planet," while others attempt to demonstrate the harsh reality of climate change and global warming. Similarly, in Siliguri, West Bengal, a sarbojanin constructed a pandal on 3,200 square feet of land to promote greenery by using a black acrylic color theme. They even put single-use plastics on display to draw visitors' attention to how we pollute the environment daily. Such reverse psychology is frequently advantageous to the organizers. 

GOVERNMENT AND NON GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES FOR ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY PUJA

During the 5-day festival in the city, the state government deploys its full force. During this time, the entire police force is responsible for maintaining law and order. To reduce water pollution, the West Bengal Pollution Board created a list of rules to follow during idol immersion. They instructed the organizers to place flowers, leaves, and other offerings in a separate bin, packets, or pit rather than throwing them into water bodies (river, pond). Idol immersions should take place on the dates and times set by the police and district authorities, as they deem fit. The KMC (Kolkata Municipal Corporation), in collaboration with the Kolkata Police and the Kolkata Port Trust, is working to keep the Ganga clean. In an interview, a volunteer stated that they trust Babughat for immersion purposes because the KMC, Kolkata Police, and the Kolkata Port Trust volunteers are stationed on the spot to ensure the smooth operation of the final ritual. The State Government decided to award the organizers with the Serader Sera Nirmal Pujo Puroskar, which promotes and adheres to eco-friendly methods of celebrating pujas. 

COVID-19 BACKDROP

Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on the artisans of Kumortuli. After the first wave, there was little to no festive celebration in the country. Sculpting idols and selling them as a sole source of income had driven many artisans into financial ruin. Thus, they’ve to leave their traditional sculpturing and opt for other paid work.

LOSING CULTURE 

Durga Puja Sarbojanin is now more theme-driven than culturally driven. So, organizers hire skilled artisans who specialize in theme-based idol creation. The repercussions are faced by traditional craftsmen as their work goes unsold. As a result, they begin to create idols following contractual obligations to support their livelihood.  

HOW TO REACH KUMARTULI?

The bus is the quickest and cheapest method to get from Howrah to Kumortuli. Depending on availability, eco-friendly modes of transportation such as metro, tram, and hand rickshaw can also be used to get to the location.  

Image Source: Deccan Herald | Idol Makers of Kumartuli