Ramesh Chandra Paul is a well known artist of Kumartuli who has produced numerous mesmerizing Durga idols over the years. But he, like most of the artisans who toil it out at Kumartuli, had a very humble beginning. Hailing from a family of artisans specializing in idol making, he moved to Kolkata from Krishnanagar along with his brother and mother after his father passed away.
His life at Kumartuli started as a maker and seller of small clay figures that adorned the homes during Jhulan and Raas. But the business declined with the demand of such clay figures. Ramesh Chandra Paul then began to work at other people’s studios. With time he managed a small place for himself and started off with making and selling small idols of Kali and Saraswati. Soon he graduated to Durga Idols and from then onwards his name became popular as a renowned creator of clay idols.
His legacy is being carried forward by his two sons, Prashanta and Kamal who have understood the idea of diversifying with time and they are now producing idols of fiber glass and papier mache in their studio, Shilpa Kendra.