Bablu Kumar, a resident of Gaya district in Bihar, is a skilled artisan. He has been making wooden idols for the last 10 years. This work has become the identity of his family. Bablu Kumar is carrying forward this craft along with his two brothers. The three brothers create different types of idols- of gods, goddesses, and great personalities.
Skill rooted in family tradition
Bablu says that this work was started by his elder brother. He observed his elder brother working, learned from him, and gradually became skilled in the art himself. Today, all three brothers work like a team. He says that time and patience are essential to learn any art. The craft of idol making cannot be fully mastered in one or two years. To become proficient in this work, at least 10 years of experience is required.
What kinds of idols do they make?
The brothers mainly create wooden idols. Based on customer demand, they prepare idols of deities like Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Durga, and Lord Hanuman. Apart from this, if a customer wants an idol of a great personality, such as Mahatma Gandhi or any other figure, they can make that as well. That means they are capable of making almost every type of wooden idol.
Bablu Kumar says they make idols of different sizes. Usually, idols range from 12 inches to 3 feet in size. So far, the largest idol they have made was 5 feet tall. That idol was of Lord Buddha, depicted in meditation. Making such idols requires a lot of time, effort, and precision.
The time required to make an idol depends on its size and design. A small idol can be made in two days, while some idols may take five or even ten days. Larger and more complex idols require more effort, so they take more time. Bablu says that proper cutting of wood, shaping, and then finishing are the most important parts. Only with good finishing does the idol become beautiful and attractive.
Cost and profit
The cost of wood also varies- from 500 rupees to 20,000 rupees. This depends on the quality and size of the wood. The cost of making one idol can range from 2,000 to 10,000 rupees. The larger the size, the higher the cost.
Talking about profit, the earnings differ for each idol. Sometimes the profit is around 1,000 to 1,500 rupees, while at times it can go up to 8,000 rupees. This entirely depends on customer demand, as well as the size and design of the idol.
Bablu Kumar and his brothers recently received a 6-day training under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. During this training, they were taught modern methods and better techniques. They were also given a toolkit, which has made their work easier. He believes that such schemes are very helpful for artisans.
Today, Bablu Kumar and his brothers are supporting their family through their skill. For them, this is not just a livelihood, but an art that they practice with dedication. Their dream is that the coming generation also learns this craft and carries it forward, so that this beautiful tradition of wooden idols remains alive forever.
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