15th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Rehearsal

Artist giving Finishing touch to the Idols. Durga puja is the biggest festival of west bengal. It is the festival of joy, a festival of good overcomes evil. Durga (deity) represents Good and Holiness and The Asura represents bad and evil. Idols of Durga along with other gods and Asura also worshiped during the puja. Kumortuli Patuapara is a small area in Kolkata,the home of some poor artists who are famous for making idols with clay and bamboo etc.Before durgapuja they were very busy due to the excessive demand of their idols. I saw an artist giving finishing touch to the idols because Durgapuja will be coming very shortly and he will handed over all the idols to their byres. The whole view of the shop was looks like a play or dance class and every idol was a character of a play and posing differently. The focused Idol posing in such a way,I thought that she was giving last rehearsal before her “official” appearance in front of the public. The artist was like a teacher giving instruction and making correction of his students’ very carefully and calmly.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2017
Date Uploaded: 11.2017
Photo Location: Kolkata, India
Copyright: © Rahul Kumar Saha