Woman artist in Kolkata makes a mark in idol sculpting

Kolkata, Sep 18(ANI): China Pal, a successful woman sculptor and a studio owner, makes a mark in male-dominated idol sculpting craft in Kumartuli, the nerve centre of the clay idol-makers of West Bengal.

When Pal started sculpting idols of Goddess Durga, she had faced flak for trying to enter a male domain. But, after the death of her father, she had no alternative but to run the family sculpting studio in Kumartuli to make both ends meet.

Today, after a struggle of almost twelve years, she has evolved from a struggling artist to a successful sculptor.

"I don't know what will happen next year. But, till the time I am running this studio, I will make sure that I give the delivery on time. I don't make people wait. And even my customers don't express doubt on my work just because I am a woman. They never say that being a woman I won't be able to do my job well. They in fact come forward and place orders. This gives me a lot of encouragement," said Pal.

Her good work has led Puja committees of Durga Puja to give orders to women sculptors.

"We used to buy idols from other places. This year we came to know that women are sculpting idols and we were happy to know that. I spoke to other members and we have decided that we will buy idols from women idol makers," said Sushanta Ghosh, member of South Kolkata Puja Committee. (ANI)