An emerging trend in West Bengal is seeing grieving families turn to hyper-realistic silicone statues as a way to preserve the presence of deceased loved ones inside their homes. From Kolkata to smaller towns like Suri in Birbhum district, these life-sized statues are being commissioned to provide emotional comfort and a sense of continuity after loss.
The trend gained national attention after Kolkata resident Tapas Sandilya installed a silicone statue of his late wife Indrani, who passed away during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The statue, crafted over six months, features her favorite red saree, gold jewelry, and a peaceful expression.
“I feel like she’s still with me,” Sandilya told local media. He had the statue made based on her wish, which she had expressed after the couple saw a similar figure at a temple years ago.
In another instance, the family of retired professor Dr. Nemai Chandra Goswami in Suri installed a statue of him in his usual reading chair after his passing in 2022. His family members say the statue provides them with emotional reassurance and eases their grief.
These statues are crafted by artists like Subimal Das, who specialize in silicone sculpture. Each statue takes several months to create, starting from a clay model and progressing through silicone casting, real hair insertion, and lifelike painting. The final products often cost between ₹2.5 lakh and ₹5 lakh, depending on the complexity.
“Families come to me with photographs, videos, and sometimes voice notes,” Das said. “They don’t just want a likeness—they want to feel like the person is still around.”
While the practice is bringing comfort to many, mental health professionals have expressed mixed opinions. Some warn that clinging to physical replicas might delay the natural grieving process, though others recognize its potential to provide short-term solace.
This unique trend is rooted in Bengal’s deep artistic heritage. Areas like Kumartuli in Kolkata are known for their expert idol-making traditions, and the shift from religious figures to personal memorials reflects both evolving technology and emotional needs.
As more families in Bengal embrace silicone statues as a way to cope with loss, the line between memory and reality continues to blur—reshaping how people choose to remember the ones they’ve lost.
