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The intricate dance of divinity and creation creates a transcendental relationship between the creator and the creation. This transcends mere craftsmanship associated with Durga Puja creating a metaphysical dialogue.
At Kumartuli,the place where the Goddess takes its form with the help of potter’s hand from primal clay of earth embodies not only the artisan but also the manner through which the conduit enables the eternal to take its form. These artists who are steeped in ancestral wisdom and with the labour of their reverence elevates their act of creation to a ritual of devotion.
As Mahalaya dawns, the essence of their relationship reaches its zenith with the “Chokkhu Daan” where the potter finally paints the eyes of the goddess that reflects a cosmic significance. The breath of life that the clay figurine is bestowed upon culminates into a sacred transformation.
The creator, in this act of painting enacts the mythological narrative of the goddess who after this descends from her celestial abode to the earthly realm. This gaze known as “opening of the eyes” symbolises an awakening- of the goddess, of the creator and the devotees who await her.
See More: Kumortuli in Kolkata
From Kumartuli, the idol then traverses to the pandal, another place where creation finds a new meaning. Here, the creator does not only remain as an artisan but a collective vision of the community, architects and decorators who build elaborate and ephemeral structures to house the goddess. This pandal which is itself an artwork becomes a stage on which the creator and creation is celebrated.
The idol which becomes a mere sculpture of clay then becomes a temple of creativity that is surrounded by the aesthetic and cultural manifestations of a collective imagination. This acts as a testament of profound independence between the artisans and the goddess herself. With the heralding of Mahalaya, the creator’s journey comes to an end- the journey that weaved together certain threads of faith and spirituality into a sublime tapestry of devotion.
