Kishore has been drawing dreams in clay for 36 years

Kishore Kumar Biswas first picked up clay at the age of five. That clay became his first lesson in art. Thirty-six years have passed since then. Even at the age of 41, his bond with clay remains strong. Driven by his love for Goddess Durga and years of experience, he continues to make idols as his livelihood.

Kishore Kumar Biswas lives on Sher-e-Bangla Road in the Kharmkhali area of Chitalmari in Bagerhat. He is the son of the late Kalidas Biswas. Both his parents have died. He now lives with his child in a small family. Although he once worked at various institutions, he eventually chose idol making as his main source of livelihood.

Kishore started his professional career at a bank after passing intermediate. He later worked at various organizations including the NGO Renaissance. However, he continued making idols alongside his jobs. His love and attachment to this traditional clay art eventually led him to leave his job and work full time as an idol maker.

Sculptor Kishore Kumar Biswas said, “I have been making idols for 36 years. I started this work when I was five years old. I love Goddess Durga, so I have a special attachment to this work. I had jobs, but I continued making idols alongside them. Now this is my main source of livelihood.”

Kishore is currently busy preparing for Durga Puja. Three of his brothers are working with him. The four have been making idols together for nearly three months. As they started work somewhat late this year, the workload has increased.

Kishore said 181 idols were made here last year. This year, 201 idols are being made. Work has been underway for nearly three months. It may take about another month to complete the work.

He said it takes at least a week to make an idol. This year, the idols are being made in a new style. I started work a little late, so the workload is also higher. We have to make many idols.

There are also differences in this year’s idols. Alongside Goddess Durga, a large idol of Loknath is being made. An idol of Kalki Avatar is also being made nearby. According to religious beliefs, Kalki Avatar is considered the final avatar of the Kali Yuga.

Kishore’s busy day begins with the first light of day. His tireless work continues day after day with bamboo, straw, clay and paint. Every stage requires skill, patience and time. The process begins with making the framework and continues through tying straw, applying clay, drying, shaping facial features and adding the final touches with paint and brushes.

Local resident Anamika Das said Kishore’s idols have a distinct beauty. “I have seen him doing this work for many years. As the Puja approaches, his workload also increases.”

Local resident Narendra said he had seen Kishore working with clay since childhood. “He has built a distinct identity for himself by staying in the same profession for so many years. Many people come here with interest to see the idols he makes.”

The clay that Kishore was introduced to at the age of five has become his main source of livelihood 36 years later. With skilled hands, he brings life to bamboo, straw and clay structures to create idols of deities. At the same time, his small family depends on the income from this art.

As the joy of Durga Puja spreads from home to home, idol makers like Kishore are working day and night in silence to create the embodiment of that joy. Through their skilled hands, structures made of straw, bamboo and clay gradually take the form of the idols worshipped during the Puja.