Assam Artist Crafts Six-Foot Durga Idol Using 7,000 Discarded Pens
Dhubri artist Pradip Kumar Ghosh creates a stunning six-foot Durga idol using 7,000 discarded pens to promote waste reuse this Durga Puja.
In a remarkable fusion of devotion and environmental consciousness, a Dhubri-based artist has transformed thousands of pieces of everyday waste into a divine masterpiece. For the upcoming Durga Puja, Pradip Kumar Ghosh has meticulously crafted a six-foot-tall idol of Goddess Durga using approximately 7,000 discarded pens and markers.
The unique creation, which took nearly four months of intensive labor to complete, is set to be the centerpiece at the Usha Sangha Durga Puja pandal located in the Vishnu Cinema Hall lane of Dhubri town, Assam.
A Mission to Reduce Pollution Through Art
Pradip Kumar Ghosh, a private tutor by profession and a sculptor by passion, has been dedicated to this eco-friendly mission for over three decades. Since 1992, he has been experimenting with discarded objects to create traditional idols, aiming to spark a conversation about waste management and sustainability.
"I am a private tutor and a sculptor. Every year, I create a Durga Murti using discarded materials to help reduce environmental pollution and save money," Ghosh stated, highlighting his dual commitment to art and the planet.
A History of Creative Recycling
The use of pens and markers is merely the latest chapter in Ghosh's long history of artistic recycling. Over the years, his creativity has pushed the boundaries of traditional sculpture, using a diverse array of materials including:
- Cotton cloth and coconut husks
- Coconut leaves and vegetables
- Roti and papad
- Soap and discarded plastic bottles
- Dry tree branches
His previous years have seen similar feats of ingenuity, such as a 2024 idol made from 8,000 plastic bottle caps and a 2025 creation fashioned from 15 kilograms of discarded paper. These efforts have earned him recognition far beyond Dhubri, with his works being showcased in Bongaigaon, Assam, and Cooch Behar, West Bengal.
A Message for the Youth
Beyond the aesthetic appeal, Ghosh’s work carries a profound social message. He hopes his creations will inspire the younger generation to view "trash" through a different lens—as potential resources rather than mere waste.
"I would like to convey a message to the youth of this country: we should find ways to reuse discarded materials instead of throwing them away," Ghosh said. He believes that if more people, including those from economically weaker sections of society, adopt these recycling habits, it could lead to a significant reduction in environmental pollution.
As the festivities of Durga Puja approach, Ghosh's latest work stands as a powerful reminder: that even the most mundane objects, like a spent pen, can be transformed into something sacred and meaningful through vision and persistence.