Revisiting Indigenous Craft of West Bengal, Wooden Doll of Natungram: A Review of Socio Economic Study

Handicrafts in Bengal imply a bold heritage of aesthetic beauty and creativity provides an economic lifeline to the weaker section of rural society. Wooden doll making of Natungram village is such type of activity run by a group of craft persons. Owl sculptures from Natungram in Bardhaman district shares the iconic status in representing Bengal’s handicraft. These craft persons are known as “Sutradhar” or story teller as they tell different stories of ancient mythology during making their dolls and reflect it throughout their products. Though they make doll of different god and goddess, also make some products outside of these depends on demand. Some shape of products are traditionally carries out by them through the remote past, while some innovative has also evolved throughout their working skills. Some artisans make wooden mask depicting customary religious sentiments. An Owl with its distinctive nature became an icon of products found each and every household as it carries a symbol of wealth and auspiciousness. Some of important figure like Devi Durga, Lord Ganesha, Radha-Krishna, Gour-Netai, King and Queen are common to all. All activities carried out by these craft persons only to sustain their lives as they don’t have any other means of agricultural land and bound to follow the work either by choice or by chance. Here an effort to highlight some aspect of their lives and related socio-economic condition to draw the attention and try to promote their artisanal activities to help them to find out a better means of lives.