In an age of AI, Bengal’s artisan hands keep Delhi’s Durga Puja alive
Amidst the rise of AI, Bengal's skilled artisans travel to Delhi to handcraft intricate Durga Puja idols, preserving a generational craft.
In a world rapidly being reshaped by artificial intelligence and machines that can generate complex images in mere seconds, the rhythmic, slow, and deliberate movements of human hands remain irreplaceable. In a bustling corner of Chittaranjan Park (CR Park), 32-year-old Abhijeet Mandal is proving that technology cannot replicate the soul of tradition. Working with a lump of clay and a lifetime of inherited skill, Mandal is meticulously shaping the divine form of Goddess Durga.
The Human Touch vs. Artificial Intelligence
As the festival of Durga Puja approaches, the CR Park Kali Bari has transformed into a massive workshop filled with bamboo, cloth, clay, and vibrant colors. While AI can mimic patterns, Mandal argues that it cannot capture the essence of devotion and precision required for sacred iconography.
"AI can make many things today, but can it make this?" Mandal asks, gesturing toward the idol taking shape before him. For him, the craft lies in the nuances—the specific proportions of the Goddess's face, the intense expression of the demon Mahishasura, and the patience required to breathe life into the clay. "Machines can copy a design, but an artisan understands the idol while making it. The hands know how much clay to use, where to add a little more and where to remove it. That is what gives the idol its expression," he explains.
The Economic Migration of Craftsmanship
The presence of these artisans in Delhi is driven by a stark economic reality. Mandal is one of at least 30 skilled craftsmen who have traveled from various parts of West Bengal to Delhi for the festive season. While the work is physically demanding and often requires working through the night, the financial incentive is the primary motivator for the journey.
The disparity in earnings is the reason these craftsmen leave their homes just as their own communities prepare for celebrations:
- Earnings in West Bengal: Approximately Rs 10,000–12,000 per month.
- Earnings in Delhi: Approximately Rs 15,000–16,000 per month.
While the difference may seem modest, for seasonal workers, this extra income is vital. "When people say we come here for 'handsome money', it doesn't mean we become rich. It means we get a little extra for the work we do," Mandal says.
A Generational Legacy
For Mandal, this is not just a job; it is a family inheritance. Lacking formal education due to financial constraints, he followed in his father's footsteps to master the intricate art of idol making. The technique is slow and offers no shortcuts. He uses a piece of cloth dipped in liquid clay to carefully layer the idol's structure, a process that requires immense practice and an innate understanding of anatomy and divinity.
Community Connection in CR Park
As the artisans work, the local community in CR Park remains deeply connected to the process. Residents often visit the workshops to observe the preparations, finding as much joy in watching the idols being built as they do in attending the festival itself. For locals like sisters Soma and Rimi Roy, the festival begins long before the calendar date, starting with the bamboo structures and the arrival of these master craftsmen.