Robotic Durga: Where technology meets tradition

Autumnal Durga Puja is undoubtedly the largest religious festival of Bengali Hindus. It is celebrated from the sixth to the tenth tithi (lunar day) of the bright fortnight, usually in mid- or late Ashwin and sometimes in early Kartik. The time is fixed, but as the lunar calendar is followed, the dates vary every year. As per the Bengali almanac followed in Bangladesh, the scheduled time for this year was from 1st to 5th Kartik.
An idol is an integral component of any Hindu worship or religious festival. In almost all Hindu religious festivals (such as Ganesh Puja, Laxmi Puja, Saraswati Puja, etc.), a single idol is sufficient, but Durga Puja is quite different in this consideration. According to Hindu belief, Mother Durga comes from Kailash to her father's house for four or five days. She is not alone; she is accompanied by all members of her family. Along with goddess Durga and her carrier, the lion, idols of other members of her family and their carriers are prepared. Apart from this, as goddess Durga is known as Mahisasurmardini (killer of the Buffalo Demon), the idols of a buffalo and the demon Mahisasur are also required. As there is no scriptural restriction, many other idols may be prepared on this occasion. 

Normally, preparing idols with soil is a centuries-old practice that is completed step by step. At first, the main pole or structure of the idol is made of bamboo or wood. Then the idol is given its physical form or shape by tying straw and twine or rope to the structure. A mixture of clay and chaff is first applied to the straw structure, followed by a coating of fine clay. After the clay dries, the facial features, fingers and jewellery are carefully crafted by the skilled hands of potters. After the idols are fully sun-dried, colour is applied. Goddess Durga and her entourage are painted with watercolour or acrylic paint, coated with white and other paints as desired and designed by the artist.
Over time, novelty has been added to the process of preparing idols of goddess Durga. In some places, modern artists have set a different trend by preparing idols using bamboo, plastic bottles, sponges, wood, paper, cork, matchsticks, buttons, ballpoint pens and other materials. As reported in different national dailies, an idol of goddess Durga was prepared with Chinigura paddy at Kalaroa, Satkhira, in 2023, giving it a glittering golden look. But surpassing all these, a unique initiative has been introduced this year. The application of artificial intelligence is the latest addition to the preparation of Durga idols. In place of conventional clay idols, a touch of modern technology has been added to a centuries-old tradition. As a mark of innovation, a robotic Durga idol has been prepared for the first time in Bengal. It is also the first-ever AI-inspired Durga idol in the world.
As reported, a robotic Durga idol with glowing blue eyes has been prepared in Kolkata, though the process was difficult. AI does not always create accurate designs. Defects were noticed in the designs created by AI. According to scripture, goddess Durga holds ten weapons in her ten hands, but in the AI-generated design, Durga initially had no weapons in her hands. For this reason, instead of following the AI-generated design directly, the artists had to make necessary changes using their skills in accordance with tradition and scriptural norms. The defects in AI-generated designs have been rectified by human hands.
Rechargeable blue electric lights have been used in the eyes, hair and arms of the idol. Going beyond the conventional style, Mahishasur, the Buffalo Demon, has been given a different shape, with a human body and the head of a buffalo in water. This has made the statue more attractive. To avoid the risk of fire from a short circuit, no direct electrical wiring has been used. In the age of technology, the power of goddess Durga is certainly more modern and powerful--this is the main theme of this innovation. Not only the idols but also the entire puja pavilion has been decorated in a robot-inspired theme based on AI-generated designs to provide visitors and devotees with a new experience.
Traditionally, soil has been the main ingredient in preparing Durga idols (or those of any other deity). After hundreds of years, AI has been used to prepare a Durga idol. This is not merely a combination of tradition and technology; it also conveys a particular message. Technology may expand human imagination many times over, but there is no substitute for divine power or creativity. In matters of faith and art, the innovation of the human mind and the touch of the human hand will have the final say.
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The writer is a former Commissioner of Taxes