Some of the best Durga idols to be preserved

Kolkata, Oct 9: Many of the idols created for Durga Puja are works of exquisite art and hence, worthy of preservation. Taking this into consideration, the State Government, as well as some private individuals and organisations, are going to turn some of the best Durga idols of Kolkata and its suburbs into permanent exhibits. The idol carved out of mahogany wood by the famous artiste, Bhabatosh Sutar, created for Chetla Agrani, will be permanently preserved at Eco Park by the State Government. This is being done at Eco Park for the last few years. Bhabatosh Sutar is himself involved in a preservation. The 6 feet-tall terracotta idol of Baidyabagan Nabapally at Singhi More in Amtala, made in the traditional style by veteran artiste, Biswanath Kumbhakar of Panchmura in Bankura, is going to be preserved at the artistes’ conclave, Chander Haat, at Barisha, on the outskirts of Kolkata. Another venue for preservation is the Phire Dekha (meaning ‘looking back’) gallery beside Rabindra Sarovar Lake. Since the gallery is being renovated, no clay idols have been chosen for preservation this year. instead four fibre glass idols are being preserved – the ones exhibited at Jagat Mukherjee Park, Shiv Mandir, Buroshibtala and Barisha Udayan Pally. UNI