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Lifelike Replicas of Deceased Offer Comfort
18 Mar
Summary
- Lifelike figures of the deceased are crafted to aid in managing grief.
- Kolkata workshop uses silicon, clay, and fibreglass for hyper-realistic replicas.
- Each custom-made figure costs approximately 2.5 lakh INR ($2,760).
Subimal Das's workshop in North Kolkata specializes in creating hyper-realistic, lifesize replicas of departed individuals. These custom figures, made from clay, fibreglass, and silicon, are commissioned by those seeking to remember loved ones. Customers provide photographs, and the team meticulously crafts figures that capture the likeness, often including real human hair and favorite attire.
The cost for each figure is approximately 2.5 lakh Indian Rupees (about $2,760). These creations are not merely statues; they represent a profound way for families to manage grief and maintain a connection, embodying the Hindi concept of 'smaran,' or remembrance. The workshop, which began in 2013 crafting figures for festivals, saw a rise in demand for memorial replicas following the Covid pandemic.
While potentially viewed as unusual from a Western perspective, these figures hold deep cultural significance within Hindu beliefs about death and the afterlife. They offer a form of continued togetherness and solace, as seen with one client who fulfilled his late wife's wish for such a memorial.
The workshop also produces replicas of famous personalities, including political leaders, historical figures, and celebrities, demonstrating a broad range of their artistic capabilities.
