Covid induced economic slowdown which affected one and all ever since the imposition of lockdown in March 2020 has affected the sculptors and other artists engaged in idol making in the worst manner. n

Despite some revival of festive mood during the last Saraswati Puja the scenario this time is again gloomy, primarily due to the closure of all schools, colleges, coaching institutes and private tuition centres.

The decreased purchasing capacity of common customers due to job losses, salary cut, and somber business scenario are the other reasons for the lesser enthusiasm towards community pujas this year.

The dull business scenario during this Saraswati Puja can be assumed from the fact that less than 50% orders for goddess Saraswati Idols have been received this year compared to last year till now.

Talking to The Telegraph Online on Saturday, Abhishek Paul, son of one of the most famous artists of coal town, Dulal Paul said, We normally sell around 300-325 idols every year priced between Rs 1200 to Rs 7000 each depending on size but this year we didn’t receive the order of even 100 idols till now with less only six day to go for puja scheduled on January 5.”

“Last year the situation during Saraswati puja was comparatively better as apprehending lesser demand we made only 150 idols but received even more demands” said Paul and expecting similar response they made 200 idols this year but so far received orders for less than 100 idols," he added.

“Our major customers are coaching institutes, private tuition centers and schools, since the Saraswati Puja is primarily organised in educational institutions, but since all of these institutes are lying closed we have received much less demand this year,”said Paul.

Gaurav Singh, son of a Jharia based renowned painter Bhushan Singh, while echoing sentiments said, “Though we have left the idol making work more than a decade ago but still we earn money by painting the background sceneries of many of the Saraswati Puja Pandals but since only around 3000 pujas are being held this year out of total around 10000 pujas of previous years our income has also drastically decreased.

“Ours is the seasonal income and unfortunately even during the pandemic the peak of every wave coincides with the community puja season severely affecting our income” said Singh.

Swapan Paul another sexagenarian artist said, “Saraswati Puja is one of the best times for sculptors to earn some money as though the idols are priced quite lower ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 7000 but we get too many orders but this year our income during the Saraswati Puja has been drastically affected.”