Kolkata’s potters’ hub at Kumartuli is scuffling with the rising inflow of influencers and bloggers each passing yr. This yr, potters stated there have been a number of incidents of injury to idols, with artisans racing in opposition to time to fulfill deadlines earlier than the Durga Puja season is upon them. 

From photographers to fashions and influencers, folks gown up in festive garments and swarm into the slim lanes and by-lanes of Kumartuli within the lots of each single day.

The locals concern that the numbers are solely rising as Durga Puja attracts to a detailed. That’s the reason this yr, from Mahalaya (September 21) — the primary day of the Durga Puja season — the artists’ collective has determined to cease all influencers from coming into the world. 

“They’re dressing up as Durga Maa and say they wish to click on images with Durga idols. As an artist, I’m perplexed to elucidate how disrespectful and disturbing this feels for us. That is our artwork, that is our life, we’ve got been right here for generations, method earlier than these younger youngsters knew what Kumartuli is and began flocking right here. They don’t even respect us or our artwork, they solely need good photos,” Bankim Paul, a senior potter in his 50s, instructed The Hindu whereas catching a breath between a tough day of labor. 

Mr. Bankim added that most of the influencers and photographers additionally break off elements of the idols and take them away. With Durga Pujas knocking on their door, they grapple to make restore works from scratch. 

“Now we have made tickets to regulate the group. Tickets are ₹50 and ₹100, however the numbers haven’t lowered. A lot of them additionally don’t wish to purchase the tickets, however we aren’t utilizing the cash for our personal good, are we? We run a free medical camp right here for all of the lots of of staff and artists. The idols we make are heavy and tall, accidents occur ceaselessly, we use the ticket cash to fund these therapies,” Sujit Paul, treasurer of the Kumartuli Mrit Shilpi Samiti (Affiliation of potters and artists) stated. 

Mr Sujit, who has two workshops in Kumartuli, stated that many photographers have additionally barged into their workshops and outlets with out permission, forcing the artists to pose and do scripted skids for views which disrupts their work. 

Artists within the locality say that since they stay in very crammed homes contained in the Kumartuli space, many need to take a shower on the roads on the neighborhood faucets, and plenty of photographers have additionally clicked their images in such compromising positions with out their consent. 

“Are we taking a shower on the street as a result of we love to do it? These roads that they have a look at as unique is our residence, that is our neighborhood. They’ve clicked our photos taking a shower. It’s a clear violation of our private house. Who offers them the fitting?” a feminine potter who needed to remain nameless stated. She additionally identified that in the event that they object, the influencers begin arguments which have generally additionally become bodily fights. 

With solely per week left for the Durga Pujas, artists on this potters colony are gearing as much as end the final leg of their work. They don’t have a second to spare, nevertheless, reel makers in each nook are forcing them to share attention-grabbing tales, generally even coaxing them to participate of their movies. Some even have choreographed strikes for his or her movies. 

“They not come right here to see the idol making and benefit from the artwork. They arrive for views. It’s full insanity,” Mr Bankim added. 

Most of the reel makers have heavy luggage, tripods, lights, and different tools with them, which the artists have to search out their method round them to make sure they don’t injury something as they hop round with luggage of clay or buckets of paint making an attempt to complete their work. 

In the meantime, a few of the bloggers and influencers that The Hindu spoke to stated that the principle motive for them flocking to Kumartuli is as a result of it’s “trending on social media, and most different native influencers are doing it.” 

“I’ve been going to Kumartuli for years method earlier than it was a pattern. Gone are the times when photographers like us used to attend for a shot to occur. Now everyone seems to be competing, so they’re able to stage issues as nicely,” Tanumay Naskar, a passionate photographer who has been clicking pictures in Kumartuli for years. He added that within the frenzy to get unique pictures for views, photographers and influencers shouldn’t trivialise the potters and their art work.

Printed – September 17, 2025 10:29 am IST