TY - JOUR
KW - Art and livelihood
KW - Artists
KW - Durga puja
KW - Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process
KW - Intangible cultural heritage
KW - Kumartuli
AU - Abhijit Roy
AU - Sk Ali
AB - This study is a novel attempt to quantify the multifaceted impact of ICH and focused on aspects that are needed to prioritize for preservation and evolution of traditional cultural heritage in the context of longstanding tradition of venerating Goddess Durga in West Bengal, India. Our study area is the idol-making cluster of Kumartuli in Kolkata, situated in the eastern part of India. This study examined the impacts of the recognition of Durga Puja as Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) by UNESCO on the artistry of idol-makers in Kumartuli. Initially this study considered 21 parameters categorised as direct impacts (relating to artists) and indirect impacts (relating to art) and employed a Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to evaluate the nuanced effects of this recognition on the traditional form of craftsmanship. This study reported shift in market demand, changes in craftsmanship techniques, and socio-economic dynamics within the community. We found that few artists are showing interest to modify traditional craftsmanship to accommodate new theme-based idols. This study also identified that in spite reduced economic incentives majority of the artists are willing to continue their craftsmanship in Kumartuli, with the traditional knowledge of idol-making while continuously improving the quality of art.
DO - 10.1007/s10708-024-11261-w
M1 - 1
N2 - This study is a novel attempt to quantify the multifaceted impact of ICH and focused on aspects that are needed to prioritize for preservation and evolution of traditional cultural heritage in the context of longstanding tradition of venerating Goddess Durga in West Bengal, India. Our study area is the idol-making cluster of Kumartuli in Kolkata, situated in the eastern part of India. This study examined the impacts of the recognition of Durga Puja as Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) by UNESCO on the artistry of idol-makers in Kumartuli. Initially this study considered 21 parameters categorised as direct impacts (relating to artists) and indirect impacts (relating to art) and employed a Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to evaluate the nuanced effects of this recognition on the traditional form of craftsmanship. This study reported shift in market demand, changes in craftsmanship techniques, and socio-economic dynamics within the community. We found that few artists are showing interest to modify traditional craftsmanship to accommodate new theme-based idols. This study also identified that in spite reduced economic incentives majority of the artists are willing to continue their craftsmanship in Kumartuli, with the traditional knowledge of idol-making while continuously improving the quality of art.
TI - Examining the impacts of UNESCO s recognition of durga puja as intangible cultural heritage (ICH) on the artistry of Kumartuli, Kolkata
VL - 90
SN - 0343-2521
ER -