1. Shivpur artisans in Assam are preparing clay idols of Goddess Durga for Durgotsav.
2. Rising material costs and resource shortages are challenging their work.
3. Despite their crucial role, these potters receive little to no government support.
Guwahati, Sep 30: As Durgotsav approaches, artisans in Shivpur, a well-known potters’ village in Bongaigaon district, Assam, work tirelessly to craft Goddess Durga’s clay idols.
Despite being vital to the festival, these potters face numerous difficulties, including rising material costs and a lack of government assistance.
Creating a Durga idol is a complex and labor-intensive process. Artisans must gather materials like land, straw, bamboo, and wood from local river islands, which adds to their expenses.
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While each idol costs around ₹10,000 to make, they only manage to earn a profit of ₹18,000 to ₹20,000 per idol.
Shivpur’s clay idols have been sent across Bongaigaon district and beyond for over six decades. Yet, these skilled artisans continue to work without any government support.
They are now urging the government to recognize their cultural contributions and assist in sustaining their craft amidst growing challenges.
