Statue Making Part 2 (Kali, Kolkotta)

Mud is applied over the straw figures and left to dry in the sun. They don't dry it in a kilm because these statues are destined to be immersed in the waters of the Hooghly river. Mud has to be applied a number of times because as the mud dries, it cracks. The more accomplished artists are charged with the responsibility of making the head and the hands because both are very expressive. Also the mud being used is made up of two different types of mud - one part is from the river bed and the second is from the Red Light Area.