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Artist from Kolkata behind Durga idols

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Actress Rani Mukerji at the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja on Wednesday
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Many adore the goddess Durga's beauty but seldom ask about the artist. Amit Pal has been making majority of the Durga idols in the city for more than 6 years. He comes from a family that has been in this profession for generations.

Originally from Nabadwip Dham in Kolkata, Pal's father, Nimai Pal, had come to to the city 40 years back to assist one of the artists in making a Durga idol. His work was so appreciated that he became the go-to man and began his Mumbai journey with the Bengal club at Shivaji Park. Today, his son continues his legacy and comes to city every year in June or July to start making the idols.

Amit Pai, 31, says that the demand for Durga idols has only increased. "At present, I make 26 idols for various mandals in the city. Ever since I began, orders have increased by seven to eight idols. I make an idol for Bengal Club and then I make it for the Tulip Star celebration in Juhu, Lokhandwala Durga Pujo, Powai, Kandivali, Andheri and many more," said Amit Pal, who has been suffering from a fever for some time now.

Pal has some 20 workers who help him in making these idols in a small workshop opposite Shivaji Park. First, a scaffolding of bamboo sticks is made which forms the skeleton of the idol, a layer of grass is then used to form a rough shape and then soil, from the banks of Ganga, is used to give the final form. A wooden scraping tool called Chihari is used to shape the eyes and facial features of the idol. They then beautify the idol by wrapping the Saree, placing the hair, bangles and other jewellery according the clients' demands.

Assistant general secretary of Bengal Club, Parag Guha is all praise for the artist. "The way he shapes the eyes of Durga is beyond compare. She is kind but is also filled with fire. He gives us exactly what we ask for and adds a touch of class too," he said. Pal dreads the day of visarjan because of the emptiness he will feel.

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