The much-talked ‘green’ idols — free of lead paints — has turned out to be only a hype as artisans of Kumartuli say that only 25 per cent of their total creations will be adorned with environment-friendly paints.
Despite efforts made by West Bengal Pollution Control Board to supply lead-free colours to artisans and that too free of cost have not proved to be successful.
“It would take time to paint all the idols with lead-free paint . The artisans are using it for the first time and they would take some time to get familiar with it,” said Babu Pal, who has made 40 idols this time but have used the eco-friendly paints in only five. Another reason some cite is that only 150 of the total 340 idolmakers were provided with lead-free colour.
“This time, we can have about 1,000 idols, about 25 per cent of the total idols, which will be painted with the new paints,” said Mintu Pal, Secretary, Kumartuli Mritshilpa Sanskriti Samity. This number is, however, encouraging considering that last year only 32 idols were painted with the lead-free colours. The paint manufacturers have already entered into an agreement with the artisans to provide lead-free colours free of cost for three years.
Souce: Indian Express, 28-9-2010
Despite efforts made by West Bengal Pollution Control Board to supply lead-free colours to artisans and that too free of cost have not proved to be successful.
“It would take time to paint all the idols with lead-free paint . The artisans are using it for the first time and they would take some time to get familiar with it,” said Babu Pal, who has made 40 idols this time but have used the eco-friendly paints in only five. Another reason some cite is that only 150 of the total 340 idolmakers were provided with lead-free colour.
“This time, we can have about 1,000 idols, about 25 per cent of the total idols, which will be painted with the new paints,” said Mintu Pal, Secretary, Kumartuli Mritshilpa Sanskriti Samity. This number is, however, encouraging considering that last year only 32 idols were painted with the lead-free colours. The paint manufacturers have already entered into an agreement with the artisans to provide lead-free colours free of cost for three years.
Souce: Indian Express, 28-9-2010
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