Saraswati Puja brings no cheers to sculptors

Patna: The Saraswati Puja festival, celebrated with great fervour in Bihar, has brought gloom to the sculptors in the state capital. The artisans, who spend around a month diligently crafting idols of Goddess Saraswati, are facing a decline in sales in recent years.
The festival, which falls on the fifth day of the Magh month of the Hindu calendar, is an important occasion for students and musicians, who worship Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and music. However, the sculptors, who are the backbone of the festival, are struggling to make ends meet.
This year, the Saraswati Puja festival is on February 2. "We have been making idols of Goddess Saraswati for many years, but this season, sales are extremely poor. We made over 100 idols, but so far, we have sold only around 50. It's a huge loss for us," said Raj Kumar, a sculptor in Danapur.
The decline in sales is attributed to the increasing popularity of fibreglass and plastic idols, which are cheaper and more durable than traditional clay idols made by the sculptors. Additionally, the rise of online shopping platforms has also hit sales of traditional idols. "The young generation is more inclined towards modern and sleek idols, which can be easily purchased online," said Anil Kumar, another sculptor. "They don't appreciate the hard work and craftsmanship that goes into making the traditional idols," he added.
The rising cost of raw material and decline in demand have affected the art, and the sculptors are losing interest in this traditional craft.
Chandan Kumar, an idol maker near Gandhi Maidan, speaking about the difficulties in the profession, said that since the pandemic, their work has changed significantly. Earlier, they could easily make an idol with minimal expense, but now the cost is much more. "The customers are not willing to pay higher prices. Some even fail to collect their idols after paying an advance," he said.
"This season, 80 idols are being made for the festival. The price of the idols ranges from Rs 1,500 to Rs 4,000, depending on the sizes," Chandan added. The sculptors take loans to make idols, hoping they will sell them at a good price. However, sales often fall short of expectations, leaving them in debt, he added.
Anand Kumar, a sculptor on Nehru Path, said the price of bamboo has increased from Rs 150 to over Rs 250, and the cost of clay has also risen. The material used for decorating the idols has become expensive, but their selling price hasn't increased. "Earlier, the clay was easily available, but now we have to purchase it. Additionally, significant expense goes on paints and other materials. The profit is barely enough to sustain our families. Consequently, we are now relying on govt support," he added.