ABSTRACT
This chapter is an analysis of the practice of idol-making as an economic endeavour, the relations of production and dynamics between the traditional versus the modern practitioners of the art. The economy of the idol-makers is sustained by the interrelation and interdependence of the various groups, characterised by distinct production relations, different varieties of produce and networks of expansion. What exists is a highly differentiated category of producers. They differ in kinds and levels of skills attained, the types of product they make, the markets they serve, the scale and types of production units within which they work, and the degree of control they have over the means of production and the production process. It traces the market dynamics and the general problems of the trade, the pattern of production and consumption market, the reasons that hinder the growth of the market outreach for the traditional idol-makers. The focus is more on the capacity of the idol-makers as traders and businessmen and how and why they seem to be losing out in the otherwise increasing market of Durga Puja, in the transactions of crores of rupees that is on the rise by the passing of each year. Despite a burgeoning overseas market and Indian market, individual mritshilpis seems to have failed to derive significant benefit because of lack of social, cultural and economic capital.
