A child paints a Saraswati idol made of plaster of Paris in Patna. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Feb. 1: Just a week to go for Saraswati Puja, traditional idolmakers in the city wished they were busier. Lending final touches to the idols of the goddess of education and music, the artists said demand for clay idols has slid over the years.

Two types of idols are available in the market — those made of clay and the others made of plaster of Paris.

The Telegraph visited several markets in the city and found that idols made of plaster of Paris were more in demand because of their durability and better looks.

Shiv Kumar has been making Saraswati idols for about half-a-century at Rajendra Nagar.

“I have been making idols since I was 10. I have witnessed many ups and downs, but the recent increase in demand for idols made of plaster of Paris has dealt a severe blow to our business. Earlier, I used to make around 300 idols of goddess Saraswati, but now I give shape to only about 50. People are not interested in buying clay idols,” he said.

Ram Parvesh, an artist at Machuatoli, said: “These idols are more pure because they are made of clay from river Ganga. Such purity is not present in any other idol. Saraswati is the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, learning, speech and music and also symbolises justice and beauty. Thus, it is only appropriate that she be crafted with pure clay of the sacred river. Even I can make idols using plaster of Paris, but I choose to stick to the tradition.”

But even he admitted that the demand for clay idols has dropped. “Only a few days are left for Saraswati Puja and I have received an order for merely 30 idols till now,” he said, adding the price of clay idols starts from Rs 500 and goes up to Rs 1,000. Idolmakers crafting idols out of plaster of Paris have a different story to tell. Raju Kumar said: “I have received order for more than 350 idols in different shapes and sizes so far. Making idols out of plaster of Paris takes less time as well. I can make a Saraswati idol of a standard size in just 45 minutes. Only colouring the idols takes some time. Compared to clay idols, these are more colourful. They are portable because of their light weight.”

He said: “The best thing about the idols made of plaster of Paris is their price. The range is high. It starts from Rs 30 and can go up to Rs 1,500. Smaller idols are higher in demand because these are taken to schools and other educational institutions.”

Jitendra Kumar, a student of AN College, who came to make a booking for an idol, said: “Clay idols are better. But the ones made of plaster of Paris look better and it is easier to carry them. I have decided to buy the latter type this year. Till last year, it was always clay idols.”