Kumartuli Sculptors & Experimental Clay Art

Kumartuli, the legendary potters’ quarter in North Kolkata, has long been famous for crafting Durga idols that are shipped across India and abroad. But beyond tradition, a new wave of experimental clay art is reshaping its creative identity.

Younger sculptors, many trained in fine arts, are moving beyond ritualistic forms to create contemporary installations, abstract clay figures, and environmental sculptures. These works explore themes like urban isolation, ecological decay, and migration—deeply personal yet universally resonant. Materials have also diversified—artists now combine terracotta, scrap, and natural pigments with clay, pushing the boundaries of Kumartuli’s legacy.

Residencies and collaborations with global art institutions have brought fresh perspectives. Some sculptors even hold exhibitions in their studios, where gods and avant-garde coexist side by side.

Kumartuli is no longer just the home of divine craftsmanship—it’s a living lab of Bengal’s evolving clay narrative.