In Putul Patti-Ghurni, a seemingly in neighbourhood about 112 km ordinary Krishnanagar from Kolkata-43-year-old Abhijit Pal is carefully carving the pleats on a clay model of Ram Lalla. His attention to detail is unmistakable.
Patronised by Raja Krishnachandra Ray-who belonged to the Nadia Raj dynasty and ruled in the 18th century-the art of clay modelling has passed down generations across the studios and stores that dot the area.
The beauty of the miniature figurines-typically 2 to 6 inches-portraying everyday life, is in its lifelike feel. Occasionally, the potters dabble in models of leading lights of Bengal's art, culture and social movements. But for now, the age-old art appears to be getting a political twist, filling up the coffers of artisans.
Abhijit's cousin, Debashis, who has a store next door, has got an order for 200 clay models of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 200 more for Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath.
"They have to be shipped to Lucknow a month before Diwali." About 50 per cent of Debashis' orders are, anyway, from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. "West Bengal neither has the money nor the market," he rues.
Abhijit laments that the art of clay modelling in Krishnanagar is dying.
"This art form is not attracting new talent. The state government needs to wake up and do something to preserve it.
A training institute is the need of the hour." As Krishnanagar gears up to vote on May 13, no prizes for guessing the button that Abhijit and Debashis are going to press on the electronic voting machine (EVM).
A high-octane battle
The atmosphere in this constituency has been politically charged for some time now.
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