Assessing the Socio-Economic Well-Being Index of the Idol Maker Community in Kumartuli, West Bengal: A Systematic Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/sajssh.2026.7406Keywords:
idol maker, socio-economic, well-being, systematic literature review, KumartuliAbstract
Despite their crucial role in Kolkata’s Durga Puja, the Kumartuli idol artisans face precarious socio-economic conditions that remain critically under-researched. This systematic literature review synthesizes existing scholarship on idol-making, cultural identity, and urban dynamics to evaluate the community’s socio-economic well-being. We identify a significant gap: while their artistic contributions are well-documented, comprehensive metrics assessing their economic stability, social mobility, and generational occupational shifts are lacking. By examining thematic and methodological trends across scholarly works, the review reveals the marginalized status of these artisans amid urban transformations. We advocate for mixed methods, cross-disciplinary research to develop holistic well-being indices encompassing tangible and intangible metrics. Ultimately, this study underscores the urgent need for targeted policy interventions to safeguard the livelihoods and cultural heritage of this vital, yet vulnerable, community.
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