Ahead of Navratri, Indore Idol Makers Ditch AI After Police Advisory, Embrace Traditional Durga Forms

Indore's idol makers pivot back to tradition as police flag AI-generated designs

With Navratri and Durga Puja approaching, workshops across Indore are shelving AI-led experiments and returning to traditional sculpting. Police have advised artisans to avoid AI-generated inspirations that could distort sacred imagery.

"This year's aim is to focus on the traditional styles of sculpting rather than AI-generated inspirations. However, requests for AI-generated designs are pouring in from customers," said Raju Pal, an artisan at Bangali Square.

The nudge came after reports of inappropriate representations. "Many people were bringing child-like images of the goddess, but the police said those designs are disrespectful to Durga Maa. So this season, we are sticking strictly to traditional forms," Pal added.

Why the pushback

Kanadia police station inspector Saharsh Yadav said, "We have advised idol makers to take necessary precautions and avoid experimenting with designs that may hurt public sentiments. Mataji is worshipped in a respectful form, and if anything unusual or inappropriate is created, it can lead to law-and-order issues. Clear instructions have been given to everyone that such things should not happen."

For creatives, the message is simple: sacred subjects demand strong guardrails. Aesthetic experimentation is welcome-until it risks offense or public disorder. In that case, tradition is the brief.

Demand is up, constraints are tighter

Despite stricter guidelines, orders are climbing. Atul Pal, a third-generation craftsman from Bengal, reported close to 250 orders this season, including a commission worth Rs 1.11 lakh headed to Ujjain's Mahakal Lok. "Orders like these give recognition and motivation, but they also add pressure to deliver on time and ensure every detail is perfect," he said.

Younger artisans feel the squeeze between taste and tradition. "Earlier, people were satisfied with simple idols, but now they want human-like facial details and sometimes bring AI-generated images for reference. Technology gives new ideas, but it also moves us away from traditional styles," said Madhur Mohan Pal.

Tradition still holds the center

Multi-generational workshops continue to anchor the aesthetic. "Some customers still prefer the traditional Bengali sculpture, the bold-eyed goddess draped in a red saree, seated on a lion. While Ganpati idols bring higher earnings, Durga idols carry a cultural significance I don't want to let go of," said Narayan Paul.

Costs are reshaping materials and sourcing. "We mostly use local 'Chalk Mud' now due to rising GST and transport costs. Accessories like hair, jewellery, and fabrics still come from Kolkata because the quality is unmatched," said fifth-generation artisan Chandranath Paul.

The craft remains an endurance project. Each Durga idol takes nearly five months, with seasonal artisans like Ramesh Pal coordinating teams for bamboo frameworks, clay work, painting, and final dressing.

Practical takeaways for creatives working with sacred or cultural subjects

• Define boundaries early: lock approved iconography, proportions, expressions, and posture. No "cute," child-like, or hybridized forms unless sanctioned by community leaders.
• Use AI as a sketch tool, not a source of canon: feed it references from approved styles; filter outputs for age, attire, pose, and symbolism before showing clients.
• Set a review gate: involve cultural advisors or committee members before moving from concept to production.
• Control prompts: specify "traditional form only," "no infantilization," "no experimental features," and provide exemplar images from accepted schools.
• Keep a reference library: store past approved designs and moodboards to reduce drift in future projects.
• Plan logistics: rising material costs and specialist sourcing (like fabrics and jewellery) can break timelines-buffer both budget and lead time.
• Document approvals: maintain written consent for final designs to minimize disputes and last-minute changes.
• If your team relies on AI, build a compliance checklist and prompt standards to ensure cultural respect and consistency. A structured approach to prompting helps avoid risky outputs. For resources, see prompt engineering guides.

Bottom line: culture sets the frame. Creativity flourishes when it respects that frame-and in Indore this season, that means staying firmly with tradition.