Durga museum offers re-viewing of idols

KOLKATA: Those who have missed out on the opportunity to view some of the award-winning Durga idols this year will get another chance if they visit the Kolkata Improvement Trust-run museum at Rabindra Sarobar. While 11 popular idols have found their place in the museum this year, it also exhibits an idol accommodated in 2012, when the museum came into being.
Besides selecting Durga idols of reputed pujas like Chetla Agrani Sangha, Tridhara, Naktala Udayan Sangha, Bosepukur Sitala Mandir Ajyea Sanhati, Durga idols of lesser known pujas like Hazra Yuva Maitree and Buroshivtala have also been included.Other pujas include Bosepukur Talbagan, Jodhpur Park 95 Pally, Hatibagan and Bhowanipore.
State urban development minister and Chelta Agrani club’s chief patron Firhad Hakim is joyous about his club’s idol being chosen for the second time. “Forget my role as a minister, here I’am glad that the museum has been exhibiting, among other beautiful idols, the idol of Chelta Agrani club. It is an opportunity for those who have not seen these rare idols. We will preserve these unique pieces of art, craft and religion for one year,” Hakim said.
Debasish Kumar, member, mayor-in-council overseeing the KMC parks and squares department and president of Tridhara Sammilani club felt that accommodating this year’s Durga idol will give him a boost and inspiration to do better next year. “I feel quite good to think that people will have an opportunity to view Tridhara Sammilani’s idol for another year. I hope to do better next year,” Kumar said.
However, the museum has its share of problems. “We lack manpower to run the museum. There are some rare artifacts in the form of idols made of expensive metals. There are only a couple of private security guards manning the vast area,” a KIT official said on Friday. Another official pointed out that for want of proper publicity, citizens do not have any information about the museum and its exhibits.