Pintu Paul is busy giving the finishing touches to a seven-foot Durga idol at his workshop behind RHR Restaurant on Kamarajar Road, Peelamedu. “I have to deliver it in two days. These days are very hectic,” he says, without taking his eyes off the figure. “My family has been in this business for generations. I started with helping my father and took over in 2010 after he passed away,” he says, adding that he has been coming to Coimbatore from Kolkata since 2002 to make idols for the city’s The Bengali Association, among others. “This year, I have made 12 idols of Durga and her family here.”
Swaroop Kumar Chattopadhyay, of The Bengali Association, recalls how fields filled with kash flowers signalled Durga’s arrival. “It is believed that Durga visits her natal home,” he explains. “We look forward to this festival for one whole year.”
COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU, 02/10/2019: Pintu Paul from Kolkatta making Durga idols for the Coimbatore Durgotsav organised by The Bengali Association Coimbatore. Photo:S. Siva Saravanan/ The Hindu
Pintu has brought 45 sacks of soil collected from the banks of the Ganga to make the idols. “I wrap straw around bamboo sticks to form a rough structure. A mixture of Ganga soil, red soil from the city and straw is then added. The final layer is made of fine Ganga soil, which gives a smooth finish,” he explains. Each layer takes three days to dry. He then uses water-based colours to paint the idols before adorning them with jewellery and clothes. “I mix the paint with tamarind seed powder and water. For the final coat, I use arrowroot powder, which gives a glossy look.” It takes him around 15 days to make one idol. While he as some standard looks, “I can customise the idols if requested,” he says.
- The Bengali Association’s Coimbatore Durgotsav 2019 will be on through the day until October 8 at SNV Kalyana Mandapam, 24, Ramar Kovil Street, Ramnagar. All are welcome
- There will be a variety of entertainment on offer through the day. An orchestra from Kolkata will play popular Hindi and Bengali songs. Traditional dance forms like the Dhunuchi will be performed. There will be competitions like fancy dress, quiz and drawing. Traditional Bengali food will be served for lunch and dinner.
- Call 9842208444, 9894255971 or visit https://www.tbacbe.com/ for more details
In Bengal, Durga Pooja is both a family and public affair. “Each family pitches in for the community pooja. The last four days — from the seventh to the 10th — are the most important. Here, we will do puja to the idol until October 8, whenit will be taken in a procession and immersed in Muthannan Kulam at Chokkampudur. That is our way of sending Durga back to her husband’s home,” says Swaroop
