Associated Problems of Decaying Art of Clay Modelling in Krishnanagar Town of Nadia District, West Bengal, India- A Baseline Study

Abstract

Handicrafts – a labour intensive industry in India is one of the most creative and elegant industries that earn a substantial earning for a large number of artists throughout the country. The West Bengal State is renowned all over the world for its handicraft industry. Clay idol making is one such unique handicraft industry and art of Krishnangar Town – the head quarter of Nadia District in West Bengal, India. However, at present this very old traditional art introduced by Raja Krishna Chandra Ray in the locality some 200 years ago is in its decaying stage. The artists of clay modelling in Krishnangar town reside at Ghurni area or Putul Patti in Ward no. 2 at the extreme north-west corner of the town. Only a very few families are still engaged in this profession at present since this industry is facing a stiff competition with other materials like glass fibre and the profit margins from this profession is steadily declining. The young generation is not very inclined to sustain this family tradition since this profession is no longer very remunerative. Under this backdrop the present study has tried to assess the current status of the decaying form of this art and to assess the different economic and health challenges of the workers associated with this job. This study intends to assess the current status of clay idol industry in the town and to suggest some fruitful measures to revive the glory of this unique art and heritage. The paper has chiefly relied on primary survey data carried out at household level covering almost all clay idol making artist families at Ghurni locality of Krishnanagar town. The major problems associated with this art as opined by the artists and the economic and health crisis that the workers are facing at recent times are discussed in this paper.