"I am known by my work, so let's just focus on my profession".
"Ours is a harsh business. Everything is time-bound and you have to deliver your products on time because pujo is organised on certain fixed days in a year," explains China, who is in her late 30s and runs a team of 12. Source : Femina.in October 7, 2016.
Photo : Sugata Banerji
It was almost in the midst of 1923-25 when my father Iswar Hemanta Pal came from Nadia and settled here in Kumartuli. Livelihood was the primary cause. He started with making idols as any of the 'Pal' family member from Nadia would do. Durga puja has always been a major festival in Bengali aristocratic families and my father's signature was 'Bangla mukh' idol. In 1994 my father suddenly became ill just before puja. I am the youngest member of the family but I had to take charge in that crisis. When he passed away that year there was no one to support our family economically. (China was just a teenager studying at Baghbazar's Nivedita School for Girls). At last I decided to follow the footprints of my father and I started making idols in his studio.
Thus the journey started. I continue making 'bangla mukh, daker saj and ekchala idols' and It has become my passion. It has been 24 years since I got engaged with this craft but I always have the same excitement while making any idol. Theme pujas are growing nowadays and as a result, a new framework for making idols has emerged, complimenting the theme. But I'm happy to carry forward the legacy of my father. For this traditional work, I have been awarded by the honourable governor M. K. Narayanan in 2011. Asian Paints and P C Chandra have acknowledged my contribution in 2017.
Most recently in June 2018, I was invited by the Chinese government in 25th Kunming import and export fair as part of South Asia and South East Asia Arts week and Lancang- Mekong Arts festival.
I was also involved in creating the first 'ardhanariswar' (androgynous) idol in Kolkata in the year 2015. I am grateful to Almighty God for giving me blessings and I thank all my well-wishers who have supported me throughout this journey.
