Chhotu Kewat is busy crafting idols of Goddess Durga these days.

His entire day is spent working in a makeshift workshop he has set up near the metropolis hall at Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City-8.

For local artisans like Kewat, the festival season is a business opportunity, as they receive more orders for the idols of the gods and goddesses worshipped during Dashain, Tihar and Chhath.

“I need to deliver the idols by Ghatasthapana,” Kewat told RSS, the state-owned news agency, while continuing to focus on his work. “I will work around the clock to meet the deadline.”

Kewat uses wood, metals, straw, and clay to create the idols. But the artisans have to import the material to colour them from across the border in India. 

Nepalgunj locals had to bring the idols from India in the past, said Kewat, claiming that local production is now enough to fulfil the demand.

While sculptors such as Kewat make and sell many idols independently throughout the year, specific orders are placed for certain idols during the festival season. It is a tradition, especially in Tarai to install such idols at various locations.

Making clay idols is the ancestral profession of Raj Kumar Harijan of Kairatipur in Janaki Rural Municipality-6.

“We used to make smaller idols in the past, but we have started to craft bigger and more elaborate idols," he said. “But, it is a labour-intensive job.”

Harijan has employed six individuals in his workshop, whose salary ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 per month.

"We have many regular customers, and we offer them discounts," Harijan added.

The artisans say that they usually sell an idol at around Rs 20,000 to 25,000. 

However, the local artisans are not given the recognition they deserve. It has affected the pricing of their products, they lament.

Meanwhile Kewat has already made around half-a-dozen idols. 

“I will start painting them soon,” he added. “I still need to make more before Ghatasthapana.”

RSS