Muslim Potter makes Hindu idol Muslim potter makes Hindu idols in West Medinipur’s Narajole dgtld

Kali Puja is ahead. Potters are busy. To finish the work ahead of time, the work of making idols and painting is going on at night. A similar preoccupation is in the house of a Muslim potter in West Midnipur. Name, Ismail Chitrakar. House, Daspur in Block No. 1 Najol area. Sixty-year-old Ismail is making black idols with skillful hands in half-sleeve Punjabi, lungi. He has been making idols in this way for about 43-44 years in Narajol area.

Although a Muslim, Ismail is popular in the area for making idols of Hindu gods and goddesses. Some of the locals say, “Ismail has magic in his hands.” Therefore, many people of the area flock to Ismail’s court before all small and big pujas. Some local clubs are also on the list of buyers of the statue made by him.

Ismail built idols throughout the year. But at this special time of the year, his busyness is at a peak. Ismail and his family made idols by forgetting not to hand over the idols to the buyers ahead of time. Ismail said that his family for five men is involved in making idols. He was handed over to his father. He started making idols from the age of 16-17. Now that he is old, he cannot work as before. So two daughters and wife work hand in hand as collaborators.

The people of the area consider the creation of idols of Hindu gods and goddesses by Muslim Ismail as an example of the amalgamation of two religions. His handmade idols of Lakshmi, Ganesha, Kartik, Saraswati and Kali are sold in many surrounding areas including Debra, Ghatal, Chandrakona. In between making idols, he also made various potchitras, clay dolls, colorful puppets. Ismail said that while he was taking the idol, he also received the call of Nemantanna from the Hindu house. He also protects the following.