Idol makers honoured in Barisal

Artistes perform at the event. Photo: STAR

The sixth annual reception for honouring 'Pal and Kumars' (sculptors and artisans of clay idols) was held in Barisal on Wednesday, with a call to maintain communal harmony.

The participants also articulated the need to extend patronage to traditional artisans by giving them recognition and a firm niche in society.

'Mritshilpi Sammelon O Sanmanona Udjapon Parshad' of Barisal organised the programme at Ashwini Kumar Hall of the city with an exhibition of traditional arts and crafts including Nakshi Kantha, pottery works, and handicrafts.

Professor Syed Abul Barq Alvi, Dean of Fine Arts Faculty of Dhaka University, inaugurated the programme by lighting lamps and singing Sarad Sangeet led by Manisha Das.

The programme was presided over by Rakhal Chandra Dey, district president Puja Udjapon Parishad. Shohidul Alam, Deputy Commissioner Barisal district was chief guest. Many eminent personalities addressed the gathering.

Cash prizes, clothes, colours and brushes were distributed among 120 Pals and Kumars, including 20 female artisans and their associates from different area of Barisal region.

The speakers said Pals and Kumars are hard put to make a living or to get recognition. The Durga Puja festivities are the outcome of the labour of the idol makers who return home with a meagre amount of money and spend the rest of the year in penury, they added.

The five-day celebration of Sharodiya Durga Utsob, the main religious festival of the Bengali Hindu Community, has been on in a festive mode from Tuesday evening in 558 Puja Mandaps of Barisal district, including 35 in the city.

The festival will end with the  immersion of the idols and images of  deities in rivers and other water bodies and exchanged greetings of 'Bijoya Dashami'.