One of the main tourist attractions of Calcutta is Kumartuli,a tiny settlement of clay artisan.It is situated in north Calcutta.Spread over 11 acre land,Kumartuli consists of workshops cum studious,few homes and shops which sell clothes and other items specially for decorating idols.It has around 540 families of artisans and craftsmen.Every year they make around 77,000 idols.Much awaited facelift of Kumartuli is implemented by the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority and the budget of the project is around $20 million.
Centuries ago,kumors or idol makers of Nadia district came here to make idols for rich and famous people of newly developed Calcutta and returned back to their native places after festive season.During that time,they stayed temporarily in Kumartuli area.But around 18th century,they made Kumartuli their home.After partition of Bengal man artisans from earst while East pakistan also settled down in Kumartuli.For centuries,raw materials like straw and clay are tranported by boats.
During rainy season,a visitor must negotiate with piles of garbage and overflowing high drains to enter Kumartuli.But it is a devine feeling once he or she reaches the area.The procedure of wrapping wooden frames to finishing touches of idols needs special skill.Few sets of Goddes durga idols send to UK,USA,European and Latin American countries.