(image: betterindia)
In the historic neighborhood of Kumartuli, Kolkata — famed for producing magnificent Durga idols — a quiet revolution is underway. Amidst rows of clay-splattered workshops traditionally run by men, one woman is reshaping not just idols, but an entire narrative. Her name is Soma Bohra, and she is one of the few — and perhaps the first in her locality — to break into the male-dominated world of Durga murti-making.
A Childhood in Clay
Soma grew up in the heart of Kumartuli, surrounded by straw, bamboo, and the heady scent of wet clay. Her father, Mohan Bohra, was a well-known artisan who specialized in sculpting the faces of gods and goddesses. While Soma was never formally trained, she spent her childhood observing his work — silently absorbing the techniques, the discipline, and the devotion that went into the craft. But tradition had its limits. “My father always said, ‘This is not for girls,’” Soma recalls. “Even though I grew up next to the clay, I wasn’t allowed to touch it.” Like many women in artisan families, she was expected to support from the sidelines — managing the home while the men made the gods.
The Turning Point
It wasn’t until 2023, when her father fell severely ill just weeks before Durga Puja, that Soma stepped into the workshop — not as a helper, but as an artist. A ten-foot idol had been commissioned by a local pandal, and work had barely begun. “At first, everyone was skeptical,” she says. “Even some of the other artisans laughed. But I wasn’t trying to prove anything — I just knew I had to finish what my father started.” With no formal training but years of silent practice, Soma began sculpting. For weeks, she worked alone, often at night, shaping the goddess’s face with the same intensity she had seen in her father’s hands.
Shaping the Goddess — and Her Own Identity
What emerged from Soma’s hands wasn’t just a Durga idol — it was a statement. The goddess she sculpted was powerful, graceful, and different. “There was a certain fierceness in her eyes,” said one local puja organizer. “You could tell it was made by someone who understood not just technique, but struggle.” Her work caught the attention of local media and sparked conversations across the community. Many praised her. Some criticized her for “breaking tradition.” But Soma remained unfazed. “Durga is Shakti,” she says. “She is the ultimate symbol of female power. How can we celebrate her and yet say women can’t shape her form?”
Inspiring Change
Today, Soma Bohra continues to receive commissions for Durga idols. More importantly, she has inspired a handful of other women — daughters of artisans, curious teenagers — to consider stepping into the craft. Workshops that were once closed to women are now starting to open up, slowly and cautiously. “Change doesn’t happen overnight,” Soma admits. “But it starts with one person picking up the clay.” She now hopes to open a small training center specifically for women interested in learning idol-making — combining tradition with inclusivity.
A New Chapter for Kumartuli
Soma’s journey is not just about art; it’s about reclaiming space in a deeply traditional society. In shaping the goddess, she has also shaped her own identity — one molded not just from clay, but from courage, resilience, and an unshakeable belief in herself. As Kolkata gears up for another grand Durga Puja, one idol — standing tall in a bustling pandal — bears testimony to a quiet revolution. And at its heart is Soma Bohra, the woman who dared to sculpt the divine in her own image.