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Photos: Meet Sapan Mondol, the only artist in Gurugram making Durga idols

Ahead of Durga Puja, HT photographer Sanjeev Verma met with self-taught clay artist Sapan Kumar Mondol, the only craftsman who makes Durga idols in Gurugram, at his workshop in Laxman Vihar, Sector 4 of old Gurugram to catch the artist at work. Known for his attention of detail, exquisite carving, brush work and beautiful colour scheme, his idols will be revered, prayed to, smiled at and smeared with sindoor in the next few days.

Updated on: Oct 15, 2018 12:30 PM IST

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Nestled between low-roofed, wall-sharing houses and winding narrow alleys of Lakshman Vihar in Gurugram is a modest 80 square yard workstation that belongs to clay artist Sapan Kumar Mondol. Mondol who now calls Gurugram his home, came to the city 15 years ago from West Bengal. After a few odd jobs here and there, he started making idols and today is the only one in the city making Durga idols. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 15, 2018 12:30 PM

Nestled between low-roofed, wall-sharing houses and winding narrow alleys of Lakshman Vihar in Gurugram is a modest 80 square yard workstation that belongs to clay artist Sapan Kumar Mondol. Mondol who now calls Gurugram his home, came to the city 15 years ago from West Bengal. After a few odd jobs here and there, he started making idols and today is the only one in the city making Durga idols. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

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Mondol has been making idols for the last 13 years. While Gurugram has many Durga Puja pandals that bring home idols of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Kartik from Delhi during the festival, few know of this shy, self-taught resident who has been making idols, bedecking them in fineries and jewellery and ensuring that every expression and every feature of the beloved Goddess is done right. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 15, 2018 12:30 PM

Mondol has been making idols for the last 13 years. While Gurugram has many Durga Puja pandals that bring home idols of Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Kartik from Delhi during the festival, few know of this shy, self-taught resident who has been making idols, bedecking them in fineries and jewellery and ensuring that every expression and every feature of the beloved Goddess is done right. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

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Mondol says that he picked up the art of making clay idols from other artists in his village. He considers making idols a labour of passion and spends hours, sometimes even days in his little workspace to craft the perfect idol. The soil for making the idols needs to be soft and sticky. Mondol brings it from the neighbouring areas of Dhanpur and Manesar. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 15, 2018 12:30 PM

Mondol says that he picked up the art of making clay idols from other artists in his village. He considers making idols a labour of passion and spends hours, sometimes even days in his little workspace to craft the perfect idol. The soil for making the idols needs to be soft and sticky. Mondol brings it from the neighbouring areas of Dhanpur and Manesar. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

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He adds that a part of the soil that is used to make idol must be from the backyard of a prostitute’s house. The commissioners of the idols bring this ‘mati’ for him, he says. All of Mondol’s idols are eco-friendly as he only uses clay. He says that when these idols will be immersed, the clay will dissolve in the water in an hour, as there is no POP used. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 15, 2018 12:30 PM

He adds that a part of the soil that is used to make idol must be from the backyard of a prostitute’s house. The commissioners of the idols bring this ‘mati’ for him, he says. All of Mondol’s idols are eco-friendly as he only uses clay. He says that when these idols will be immersed, the clay will dissolve in the water in an hour, as there is no POP used. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

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The rest of the decorations or the goddess’ ‘bulen shaaj’ comprising her long locks, bright sari, paper ornaments and weapons will float on the water. Mondol takes between 10-12 days to create an idol and works for 14-18 hours each day during Durga Puja season to finish orders. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 15, 2018 12:30 PM

The rest of the decorations or the goddess’ ‘bulen shaaj’ comprising her long locks, bright sari, paper ornaments and weapons will float on the water. Mondol takes between 10-12 days to create an idol and works for 14-18 hours each day during Durga Puja season to finish orders. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

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Mondol’s idols are known for his attention to detail, exquisite carving, brush work and beautiful colour scheme. He makes idols that will be revered, prayed to, smiled at and smeared with sindoor in the next few days. He says that sharing photos of idols on WhatsApp is also bringing more business for him. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 15, 2018 12:30 PM

Mondol’s idols are known for his attention to detail, exquisite carving, brush work and beautiful colour scheme. He makes idols that will be revered, prayed to, smiled at and smeared with sindoor in the next few days. He says that sharing photos of idols on WhatsApp is also bringing more business for him. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

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From the mixing of the soil, to the last touches of beautifying the idol, he does it all. After adding the final touches, the craftsman covers the idol to keep it safe before delivering it to his customers. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 15, 2018 12:30 PM

From the mixing of the soil, to the last touches of beautifying the idol, he does it all. After adding the final touches, the craftsman covers the idol to keep it safe before delivering it to his customers. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

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This year, Mondol’s idols have been installed in two Durga Puja pandals in Gurugram, besides Sector 4. Mondol says that the clay is the most important bit in making “Ma”. Work does not stop for him but he says he will go to see his crafted Durga Idol in the Sector 4 Durga Puja Pandal and pray to the goddess for health and happiness. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

Updated on Oct 15, 2018 12:30 PM

This year, Mondol’s idols have been installed in two Durga Puja pandals in Gurugram, besides Sector 4. Mondol says that the clay is the most important bit in making “Ma”. Work does not stop for him but he says he will go to see his crafted Durga Idol in the Sector 4 Durga Puja Pandal and pray to the goddess for health and happiness. (Sanjeev Verma / HT Photo)

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