Downpour hits idol makers and potters in Steel City Jamshedpur

JAMSHEDPUR: The overcast sky and frequent showers are giving sleepless nights to idol makers and potters, who are facing a tough time to complete their orders for various Durga Puja pandals across Jamshedpur.

Uttam Pal, who has a workshop at Sonari, said he received orders for 10 Durga idols but none could be delivered as damp weather and frequent showers for the past 15 days have hampered the progress of work. The clay is taking a lot of time to dry due to moist environment, though he is using fans. The costs of electricity are adding to the input cost of making idols, which the customers will refuse to bear, he added.

He pointed out that most of the orders he received were after August, as puja organisers did not have clear instructions from the administration on the size of the idols allowed for this year after the Covid-19 curbs in the past two years. Idols meant for pandals need more time to sculpt and dry. Pujas are early this year and monsoon also delayed. Hence, problems have multiplied for idol makers, he added.

He said the plastic sheets used as his workshop roof often leak when it rains. Most of the idol-making workshops across the city have either tin or plastic roofs.

Vishnu Pal, another artist at Sakchi narrated a similar story. He said most of the idol orders placed with him will be delivered on Friday evening or Saturday morning at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the potters located at Kumharpara in Sonari area are worried about the timely delivery of the ‘handis’ to the pandals. Potter Mohan Yadav said with the ban on the usage of plastic, many puja committees have gone back to the traditional use of clay ‘handis’ for ‘bhog’ distribution. But rain has delayed the deliveries, he rued.

Sapan Kumar Mukherjee, a member of the Sonari West Samudayik Bhawan Durga Puja Committee (Road F to N), said the potters are unable to deliver the ‘bhog handis’, ‘diyas’, and other puja items made of clay in time. If rain intensifies from Shasthi to Dashami, it would be difficult to organise many things, he regretted.

Organisers are trying to ensure that there is no water logging near the pandals in case of heavy downpour on Puja days.