Kumortuli
Kumortuli
(also spelt Kumartuli, or the archaic spelling Coomartolly) is a traditionally potters’ quarter in northern Kolkata. 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 exported.It is one of the seven wonders in Kolkata. “In earlier days, instead of buying the idols from the market at Kumortuli, families invited the kumor or artisan home to stay as a house guest weeks before the Puja, during which time he sculpted the idol. The idol at our Puja was known for its magnificent size. It used to be over 10 feet tall.” Kumortuli boasts of the presence of some 30-odd women-artisans, like Minati Pal, Soma Pal, Kanchi Pal and Chapa Rani Pal. They have been in the business of idol making for a long time. Kumortuli’s own Durga Puja dates back to 1933. The image maker was Gopeswar Pal. How to reach there -
Types of craft in Kumortuli-
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Thermocol Shola Pith Aluminium Foil Clay
* In Kumortuli, an artisan named Suresh, runs a small shop where he makes products, decorative things and God idols with the help of thermocol sheets, aluminium foil and shola pith. Shola pith is 2-2.5 inch thick. Shola pith sticks are quite expensive presently as compared to the past. An average of 15 shola pith sticks cost about Rs.100.
Thermocol It is a raw material used in various products as well as decoration and packaging purposes. It is a synthetic substance made of polystyrene molecules. It is very light weight and easily breakable. Various carving tools are used for shaping and designing thermocol.
Shola Pith Also referred to as shola and Indian cork; is a dried milky-white spongy plant matter which can be pressed and shaped into delicate and beautiful objects of art. Shola grows wild in marshy waterlogged areas. Traditionally sholapith products were used in decorating Hindu idols and in creating the headgears of brides and grooms for a traditional Bengali wedding. In more recent times, sholapith handicrafts have found a wider application in home dĂŠcor, as artistic objects.
Aluminium Foil Often referred to with the misnomer tin foil, is aluminium prepared in thin metal leaves with a thickness less than 0.2 mm (7.9 mils); thinner gauges down to 6 micrometres (0.24 mils) are also commonly used. Used for art and decoration and packaging.
Clay There are different types of clay that are used for sculpting. In Kumortuli, the natural clay is used for sculpting, specially the idols. They usually work from 8:00am-1:00pm and from 4:00pm-8:00pm. Steps in sculpting• First they make the base out of stems by wrapping it around a stick to give it a human like shape • Once the base is made, they mix the clay in water and make the various body parts individually. • Once the parts are made, they are put on the base along with the required amount of clay on the rest of the body. • Once made, the sculpture is left to dry under the sun. •After it is ready, it is painted. (Note- It takes minimum 2 days to paint a sculpture) Lacquer colour is used for shine A 15-16” sculpture would cost 1200/- and a 10” sculpture would cost about 600.
Conclusion By visiting Kumortuli, we have come across : • The intricy done by hands in making a product. • The time duration needed for a craftsman to complete the work. • The fusion of an artisan with craftsman to produce a captivating product. • The craftsmanship have been inherited rather than being taught. • How different materials are used to make one product. • How we can subsitute man-made products with natural products, like sholapith for thermocol, plastic with clay, etc. These products depict a lot of culture, skill and beauty. Hence they can be taken to a notch higher by implementing the artisianship in making utility products like paper weight, table clock, fountain, ash tray and many more. For enhancement, the shape, motif can be modified. Their future scope is by adding a value or purpose to these products so that they can be a part of our daily life rather than just mere religious occassions.
GROUP MEMBERS : Adreeza Chatterjee Chitra Jhawar Khushboo Choraria Saumya Siotia Suman Kumari Sushmita Samya