Artist from Odisha crafts idols for Puja pandals in Kochi

The blue tarpaulin covering the shed, where idols of Durga, Lakshmi, and Ganesha of various sizes await finishing touches, casts an unreal blue hue over the idols. The idol maker, Santosh Kumar Saha, is one of the many artists from West Bengal and Odisha who travel to other parts of the country with sizeable Bengali populations during pujo season to make idols for pandals. Santosh has been in Kochi for a month, making idols which will not only grace pujo pandals in Kochi, but also Amrita Ashram in Kollam. “I have been making idols for the past 25 years, out of Balasore in Odisha. This is the first time I have travelled out of the State. I am a first-generation idol-maker; it is not my family trade. I learnt it from other artists,” he says.

The Vishwakarma Cultural Association, Kochi, which has been putting up a pandal for the past 20 years, brought him to Kochi. Narayan Patra, secretary of the Vishwakarma Cultural Association, says, “Every year we get an idol maker from West Bengal; this time we opted for Santosh. The styles are not very different in Bengal and Odisha; after all, we are neighbours.” He has come to Kochi with one assistant. The work is done, and he is happy with how the idols have turned out. The Vishwakarma Association pandal is 12 feet high, while the Keral Banga Samskriti Sangha pandal pieces are a bit smaller. The 60-year-old Banga Samskriti Sangha idol pieces are ready, complete with the ornaments and sari, and is ready to be set up, while the Vishwakarma Association pieces will be decorated on site, opposite the South Indian Bank branch in Panampilly Nagar.

Listing what he brought to make these, he mentions his tools, accessories, and four sacks of soil from back home. Of all the things, soil is most intriguing. “It is not symbolic. The soil here is grainy, unlike what we get at home, which gives the finished idol a smooth coat. The soil gives it a glaze which makes it easier to finish.” Santosh has also made idols for Lakshmi puja, which will be later this month after Durga pujo.

After the idols are installed, with ceremonies starting on October 16, Santosh and his assistant travel back home to Balasore, until next time.

Vishwakarma Cultural Association pandal is opposite South Indian Bank, Panampilly Nagar, the celebrations be on from October 16-21.

The Banga Sangha puja celebrations will be held from October 16-21 at Lions Club Cochin East, Gandhi Nagar, Kochi