An artisan puts last minute touches on a Durga idol. Photo: STAR

The stage is set to celebrate Durga Puja in Dinajpur and its 13 upazilas. While people are enthusiastically awaiting the big day, Puja organisers, idol-makers and other decorators are going in for last minute preparations to make the venues as attractive and colourful as possible depending on their budgets.
According to the Dinajpur Puja Celebration Committee, there are about 1016 pujas to be held this year here -- 100 more than the previous year.
Professor Tapan Chakrabarty, general secretary of the Committee, said that widespread security measures have been put in place by the police ahead of the festival.
Professor Chakrabarty also added that each Durga Puja organiser had received Taka 11,000 from the government.
A prominent feature of this festival is the idols of Durga with artistic decorations. And the craftsmen are working overtime to complete their works as they are assured of handsome returns this year.
The artisans are from families who have practiced this art for many generations. Ramesh Paul of Biral upazila, under Dinajpur district, has been in this profession from ever since he could play with clay. “Making idols for Durga Puja is a family tradition. My father and my grandfather were also into this,” he said, adding that this year he had earned far more than the previous year.
Dinesh is another master artisan, fortunate enough to have two skilled craftsmen to help him. “We make idols after bookings and this year we got booking for eight Durga Pujas,” he said.