Bengal artist creates tribute bust of Manmohan Singh in just 4 hours following his death

Souraj Biswas, a sculptor from Shantipur, West Bengal, created a clay bust of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh just hours after his death. The statue, which measures 12 inches in width and 18 inches in length, was completed by Biswas in an impressive four-hour period. The sculptor, known for his work on religious idols, crafted the bust as a tribute to Singh, who was widely recognized for his pivotal role in shaping India's economic reforms.

Biswas, a skilled artist with years of experience in the field of idol making, is best known for creating figures of deities such as Durga, Kali, and Vishwakarma. His idols are regularly commissioned for major festivals, including Durga Puja and Kali Puja, and are sent to different parts of India, including Bengaluru, Assam, and other states. This tribute bust of Singh marked a departure from his usual work, as it was a personal homage rather than a religious figure or festival-related sculpture.

The bust was not created for sale. Biswas explained that he made the statue purely as a tribute to Singh's legacy. While he had no intention of selling the statue, he mentioned that he would consider giving it away if someone expressed genuine interest. He emphasized that the bust was not commissioned and was crafted solely out of respect for the former Prime Minister's contributions to India’s economic policies.

Along with his tribute to Singh, Biswas is currently engaged in making other idols for upcoming festivals, including Saraswati and Gopal idols. Despite the slower pace of work in the months after major festivals, the sculptor continues to receive orders for religious idols and sculptures throughout the year. His craftsmanship is widely respected, and he remains a prominent figure in the idol-making community in Santipur.