Description/Background:
The practice of worshipping gods and goddesses goes back to the Paleolithic period. There are many pictorial evidences of figures that are half animal and half human that reflect the religious beliefs of that time. It is hard to say if the stories and legends are true but they have helped build a sense of community and belief that good will always win over bad and divine forces rule over the evil.
In India, Durga one of the deities, is considered most powerful one, who can save people from the clutches of evil. The creation of Durga and veneration to her is no different. Over the years, the legend of Durga has garnered several interpretations. The immensity of the mythology is so complex that the accuracy of the actual story is now left to mere existence and significance.
Mahishasura, riding on a buffalo, was bestowed with powers by the Lord Brahma that no one would ever be able to destroy him. However, the power tarnished Mahishasura’s mind to such an extent that he ruthlessly dominated the world and became the king of demons. Lord Shiva—the destroyer, Lord Brahma—the creator and Lord Vishnu—the preserver, combined their powers from which emerged tremendous divine energy—the form personified as Goddess Durga; a magnificent golden-yellow faced woman with ten arms riding on a lion who beheaded Mahishasura.
Durga Puja, a festival spanning four days (once in a year in the month of October), celebrates
Durga’s return after killing Mahishasura. She is welcomed to the homes of thousands along with her family, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Karthik and Goddess Saraswati who are believed
to be Durga’s sons and daughters.
It is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India that brings together many skills that
have survived generations. This project throws light on the talents, efforts and creativity of the kumbhars—the artisans, who craft realistic looking idols depicting the epic of Durga. The images will take you on a journey of the several stages of making the idols. Artists hard work brings life to the marathon of idol making that is invigorated by the power of mantras…majestic, mystic, and bustling!
The practice of worshipping gods and goddesses goes back to the Paleolithic period. There are many pictorial evidences of figures that are half animal and half human that reflect the religious beliefs of that time. It is hard to say if the stories and legends are true but they have helped build a sense of community and belief that good will always win over bad and divine forces rule over the evil.
In India, Durga one of the deities, is considered most powerful one, who can save people from the clutches of evil. The creation of Durga and veneration to her is no different. Over the years, the legend of Durga has garnered several interpretations. The immensity of the mythology is so complex that the accuracy of the actual story is now left to mere existence and significance.
Mahishasura, riding on a buffalo, was bestowed with powers by the Lord Brahma that no one would ever be able to destroy him. However, the power tarnished Mahishasura’s mind to such an extent that he ruthlessly dominated the world and became the king of demons. Lord Shiva—the destroyer, Lord Brahma—the creator and Lord Vishnu—the preserver, combined their powers from which emerged tremendous divine energy—the form personified as Goddess Durga; a magnificent golden-yellow faced woman with ten arms riding on a lion who beheaded Mahishasura.
Durga Puja, a festival spanning four days (once in a year in the month of October), celebrates
Durga’s return after killing Mahishasura. She is welcomed to the homes of thousands along with her family, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Karthik and Goddess Saraswati who are believed
to be Durga’s sons and daughters.
It is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India that brings together many skills that
have survived generations. This project throws light on the talents, efforts and creativity of the kumbhars—the artisans, who craft realistic looking idols depicting the epic of Durga. The images will take you on a journey of the several stages of making the idols. Artists hard work brings life to the marathon of idol making that is invigorated by the power of mantras…majestic, mystic, and bustling!
Artist Statement:
Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind::Johannes Brahms. Durga Puja—the most widely celebrated festivals in India brings together many skills that have survived generations. The photo journal throws light on the talents, efforts and creativity of the kumbhars—the artisans, who craft realistic looking idols depicting the epic of goddess Durga.
Since my childhood, I have always been fascinated by the process of creating idols, and that fascination propelled me to create this photographic documentary. I began this series, Creating Durga, in the year 2006. These images were taken in New Delhi, India between the months of August and September, which is the only time when the idol makers work on creating the Durga every year.
I chose this subject as I feel these artists’ talents are often neglected. Being an artist myself, I felt obligated
Since my childhood, I have always been fascinated by the process of creating idols, and that fascination propelled me to create this photographic documentary. I began this series, Creating Durga, in the year 2006. These images were taken in New Delhi, India between the months of August and September, which is the only time when the idol makers work on creating the Durga every year.
I chose this subject as I feel these artists’ talents are often neglected. Being an artist myself, I felt obligated
to showcase their talent outside their arena, which is currently the street corners and sidewalks. I decided to use photography as the medium of the expression because it helped me come up-close to the scene of work without disturbing the artists. Although the artists tend to be camera shy, they were much more comfortable with only one person around them with a simple camera, and no tripods, disturbing flash lights and other gadgets.
I am now working on the second series, documenting revelations whilst creating the idols, that are yet to be explored in the city of Kolkata (Calcutta), India which is the heart of the Durga Puja festival. That place alone, has more than 10,000 artists working on several idols in various styles. The second series will aim at documenting the idol makers’ lives, the involvement of their families, the differences and the tensions they go through—the in-between sessions while Creating Durga.
I am now working on the second series, documenting revelations whilst creating the idols, that are yet to be explored in the city of Kolkata (Calcutta), India which is the heart of the Durga Puja festival. That place alone, has more than 10,000 artists working on several idols in various styles. The second series will aim at documenting the idol makers’ lives, the involvement of their families, the differences and the tensions they go through—the in-between sessions while Creating Durga.
These images were also complied together in a form of a book.
