Azad Murtikar, 36, in Kanpur has been a busy man for the last few months, what with the deadline pressures he faces thanks to an increased demand for Durga idols for the upcoming Puja festivities.
“This year, the demand was huge. We made 350-odd Durga idols, sized between two to 12 feet. Most of the orders were from U.P.,” said Mr. Azad, who leads a group of 40 workers and runs the Baba Shiv Murti Kala Kendra.
Mr. Azad, who is in the trade of making such sculptures since the last two decades says in the last few years there is a growing demand for such Durga idols in Uttar Pradesh apart from the usual demand they received from West Bengal and other parts where he used to supply these items since the beginning in his profession with the help of the workers, who mostly hails from West Bengal.
