Once a source of solace during his time in prison, South Dinajpur clay artisan Raju Sarkar has now transformed his passion for sculpting Goddess Durga idols into a profession.
Even after being acquitted through a legal battle, 45-year-old Raju has continued to maintain his connection with the correctional facility where he was an inmate for three months.
Every year, ahead of Durga Puja, Raju receives an order to make the Goddess’ idol for the Balurghat Central Correctional Home.
This year, the Raiganj District Correctional Home has also entrusted him with making its Durga idol.
He is also making idols for several Puja committees in Buniadpur and neighbouring areas of the district.
The Durga idol that will be sent to the Balurghat Central Correctional Home in progress
A resident of Sherpur in ward 2 of Buniadpur town, Raju has been associated with idol-making since childhood.
A turning point came in 2018, when he was lodged at the central correctional home in connection with a case.
While in custody, he was assigned the task of making a Durga idol for the correctional facility.
There, he immersed himself in transforming lumps of clay into the image of the Goddess. This helped him remain occupied and find some peace during an emotionally challenging period.
Raju was subsequently released after a legal battle and was later acquitted by a court.
However, his experiences inside the correctional home and idol-making remained important parts of his life.
“I have been making idols since childhood, but I started working professionally in 2019 after setting up my own workshop. This year, the idols made by me will be venerated at the Balurghat and Raiganj correctional homes, Mahamaya Club in Balurghat and some other places in and around Buniadpur,” said the artisan.
“In 2018, when I spent three months at the correctional home in Balurghat, I made an idol there for the first time before Puja. The official who was posted there was later transferred to Raiganj and I received an order to make an idol for the correctional home there as well,” he added.
Despite leaving the correctional home, Raju has remained in touch with the authorities. At their request, he continued making idols for the annual Durga Puja celebrations.
He makes traditional ekchala Durga idols, featuring all the deities on a single frame and adorned with the distinctive daaker saaj decoration.
His wife, Puja, works with him, helping bring the idols to life with care and dedication.
“He has now earned a good reputation as an idol-maker, and orders come to him from many places. I also help him with his work,” said Puja.
Their workload has increased with Durga Puja approaching, leaving little time to rest for the pair who have a son.
However, they continue to carefully shape the idols, working through successive layers of straw, clay and paint to bring the goddess’s form to life.