A five-foot-tall fibre idol of Goddess Kali, crafted in the lanes of Kolkata’s potters’ colony Kumartuli, is set to adorn the British Museum, which is bringing together sculptures, sacred objects and artworks from across the globe for an exhibition highlighting the many faces of feminine power.

Artisan Kaushik Ghosh, who took a month-and-half to make the idol, said that he was delighted to be a part of an initiative that would be celebrating and worshipping femininity.

Ghosh was contacted in December by Camden Durga Puja, a committee of NRI Bengalis in London, for the project.

“As a Bengali and an Indian, I am proud of the fact that my creation will find a place in the museum among other deities. I have used premium quality fibre and paints to make the idol, keeping in mind the theme of the exhibition. Ornaments embellishing the idol are all gold-plated,” the artisan explained.

The 35-kg idol of the goddess will be in the company of Egyptian deity Sekhmet and Greek’s Athena at the museum.

Ghosh was contacted in December by Camden Durga Puja, a committee of NRI Bengalis in London, for the project.

“As a Bengali and an Indian, I am proud of the fact that my creation will find a place in the museum among other deities. I have used premium quality fibre and paints to make the idol, keeping in mind the theme of the exhibition. Ornaments embellishing the idol are all gold-plated,” the artisan explained.

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The 35-kg idol of the goddess will be in the company of Egyptian deity Sekhmet and Greek’s Athena at the museum.

Ghosh was contacted in December by Camden Durga Puja, a committee of NRI Bengalis in London, for the project.

“As a Bengali and an Indian, I am proud of the fact that my creation will find a place in the museum among other deities. I have used premium quality fibre and paints to make the idol, keeping in mind the theme of the exhibition. Ornaments embellishing the idol are all gold-plated,” the artisan explained.

The 35-kg idol of the goddess will be in the company of Egyptian deity Sekhmet and Greek’s Athena at the museum.

“Goddess Kali will be introduced in a section that explores warrior goddesses and aggressive female deities who provide protection against earthly or cosmic threats,” he underlined.

According to the website of British Museum, the exhibition would try to gauge how female authority was perceived in ancient cultures.

“From wisdom, passion and desire, to war, justice and mercy, the diverse expression of female spiritual powers around the world prompt us to reflect on how we perceive femininity and gender identity today,” the website added.