The Making of Goddess Durga in Bengal: Art, Heritage and the Public

This book explores the making of the Goddess Durga as an art and part of Bengal's intangible heritage, facing challenges in a globalizing world. It investigates the evolution of idols, iconographic transformations, popular culture, and the public's constitution by the production and consumption of works of art and heritage. It also explores the caste group of Kumbhakars and the power asymmetries between art and craft, artist and artisan, and appreciation and consumption. The book is aimed at a wide readership and opens up cross-disciplinary conversations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This comprehensive book delves into the multifaceted creation of the Goddess Durga, exploring her role as both an art form and an integral part of Bengal's intangible heritage. Situated as the original birthplace of unbaked clay idols of various Hindu deities, including Durga, Kumartuli holds a central position in this artistic and cultural tradition. However, the book acknowledges the challenges faced by Kumartuli's art and heritage in a rapidly globalizing world that constantly demands redefinitions of art amidst the invasion of market forces and the migration of idol makers. Consequently, it encompasses chapters on the evolution of idols, iconographic transformations, popular culture, and the ways in which the public is shaped by the production and consumption of these artistic and heritage works. Furthermore, the book delves into the ongoing shaping and reshaping of urban imaginaries and the contestations over public space. It also investigates the caste group of Kumbhakars, shedding light on the intricate relationship between inherited skill and artistry. Additionally, the book explores how the social construction of art as "art" introduces a complex web of power asymmetries between art and craft, artists and artisans, and appreciation and consumption. Recognizing the limited existing literature on this heritage hub, the book brings together authors from diverse fields, including art history, sociology of aesthetics, politics, government, social history, cultural studies, social anthropology, and archaeology. By positioning itself at the intersection of these disciplines, the book fosters cross-disciplinary conversations and offers insights into the multifaceted nature of Durga's creation and her enduring significance in Bengal's cultural landscape. With its wide readership, including students, scholars, town planners, heritage preservationists, lawmakers, and international readers, this book serves as a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of art, heritage, and society in the modern world.

Weight: 403g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811602658
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021