Agartala, 13th October 2026 : . Rising raw material costs and inadequate returns have forced idol-makers Anu Das Debnath and her husband Swapan Debnath of Gokulpur in Gomati district to scale down production this year.
Despite not belonging to a traditional potter family, the couple has been making idols for the past 53 years out of passion and dedication. Working from their workshop at Agriculture Chowmuhani in Udaipur, they have crafted only 20 idols this year as the rising cost of materials has made the business increasingly difficult.
The couple said material prices have increased significantly compared to last year, while the selling prices of idols have not risen proportionately, leaving little scope for profit.
As Durga Puja preparations enter the final stage, the couple’s idols are still being painted before being transported to pandals. For them, idol-making is more than a livelihood—it is a passion they have sustained for over five decades. However, rising expenses and the lack of fair prices have created growing financial uncertainty for traditional artisans.
