Covid-19 has forced artisans from Kolaghat in Bengal to keep their fingers crossed about giving shape to Durga idols in Jamshedpur this year.
A 20-member team from Kolaghat makes seven Durga idols, including the massive one at Beldih bari.
So far, the puja committees have not given them any positive indication about coming to Jamshedpur for the job.
Even if the puja committees were to place orders, the artisans are not sure whether they would be able to travel to the steel city.
“We are confused,” said chief artisan Ajay Chakravarty.
“The puja committees have told us that they may give orders next month after a meeting with the district administration. But the pandemic has put a question mark on our travel plans to Jamshedpur,” he said.
The Durga idol at Beldih Kalibari in Jamshedpur last year Bhola Prasad
“We would be able to come to Jamshedpur only if we have orders for preparing 7 idols. Otherwise, it would be worthless doing the job,” he added.
Speaking to the The Telegraph Online over the phone from Kolaghat, Chakravarty added they were keeping their fingers crossed and nothing can be foreseen.
According to Chakravarty, the idol at Beldih Bari would be at least 2 ft short.
“Beldih Kalibari puja committee has said they would like to have a shorter idol if the celebrations make a headway. Last year we made a 16.5 ft idol at Kalibari,” he said.
Besides Beldih Kalibari, the artisans make idols of New Baradwari, Rajendranagar, Sonari, Telco, Bengal Club and Kadma.
The idols are made under a tent outside the Beldih Kalibari.
Chakravarty said it would be difficult to procure daker-shaaj from Calcutta.
“The Beldih Kalibari idol is decked up with daker-shaaj and the material is brought from Calcutta. We may be forced to keep things simple this time if we are able to make the pratima,” he added.
Durga puja is scheduled between October 22 to 26.
The extravaganza would be simple in the city.
The usual excitement and revelry would be missing thanks to the pandemic which has already made it’s presence felt in Jamshedpur.
Jamshedpur Durga Puja Kendriya Samity (JDPKS) and Purvi Singhbhum Central Durga Puja Samity (PSCDPS) have already said the celebrations would be low-key this year.