Kolkata Idol Makers in Kumartuli Face Severe Clay Shortages, Rising Costs, and Intrusive Influencers

The Hindu•Published: Oct 14, 2026 08:26 AM IST

Idol-makers in Kolkata’s historic Kumartuli potter colony are facing a severe shortage of clay, surging raw material costs, and intrusive social media content creators ahead of the Durga Puja festival. Supply curbs that began in April due to smuggling allegations delayed work by two months, forcing artists to pay exorbitant prices for essential materials.

Clay Shortage: Artisans reported paying ₹40 per kilo for clay that previously cost ₹10, drastically eroding their seasonal profits and threatening upcoming festival preparations.
Material Price Hikes: The cost of accessories such as jute for hair, decorative fabrics, and raw materials for jewellery has doubled since the previous year.
Social Media Intrusion: Sculptors complained that bloggers and influencers frequently enter workshops without permission, demand poses, damage fragile idols, and photograph artists without consent.
Background Context: Kumartuli is Kolkata’s premier potter colony, where generations of sculptors have traditionally relied on steady bulk deliveries of clay to prepare elaborate idols for major celebrations like Durga Puja and Kali Puja.

The Context & Background

These mounting financial and logistical pressures have left the traditional artisans struggling to make ends meet despite their vital role in crafting the city's iconic festive idols.

Why it matters:The struggles faced by Kumartuli's artisans threaten the cultural preservation and economic viability of a centuries-old traditional craft. As material costs soar and working conditions are disrupted by unregulated tourism, the livelihood of these foundational cultural workers hangs in the balance.

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