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Every year, the Durga Puja festival showcases the skills of Bengal’s sculptors, artisans and potters. Sculpting idols of the deities has been a traditionally nurtured art has crossed the ages and gone beyond the boundaries of land and sea.

Such is the fame of our sculptors, not only those from Kumortuli or Potters’ Colony in Kolkata, but also from other parts of state, that community puja organisers from distant lands place special orders for idols.

VFS has been fortunate enough to be the source of strength for many women sculptors. A visit to their workshops becomes a trip into history.

Sumitra Debi Pandit, a VFS customer, makes idols, figurines, birds and animals. Born into a potter’s family, Sumitra had a thorough knowledge of the art of making such small idols.

When Sumitra got married, her new residence was Panchudanga in Purulia. While Purulia is famed for its culture and the Chhau dance, its residents lack access to formal financial institutions.

Sumitra and her husband, a potter himself, had led a humble life with their son and daughter. After the wedding of their daughter, the Pandit family found themselves in debt. This cast a shadow over their son’s education.

Although Sumitra had the expertise to make dolls and figurines, they did not have the capital to scale up. With much apprehension, the Sumitra and her husband visited the railway town of Adra. While walking around, a banner caught their eye. It was outside the Village Financial Services branch. She stepped inside to ask for more details. She came out a VFS customer. Very soon, she was taken into a JLG and the loan sanctioned.

Thus was born a new sculptor in town, whose small idols of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Hanuman became the talk of the town. Not just idols. Her small animal figures, decorative terracotta Diwali lamps became much sought after products.

The Pandit couple worked round the year to meet the demand for their clay toys and other items at the fairs that were held during the festival season.

The result had been more than rewarding. They cleared all debts, saved money for their son’s higher education and most importantly, could finally live the reality of financial stability.