The Creators
By Ashutosh Jindal
Summary
Ashutosh Jindal’s poem "The Creators" lists precious materials used to fashion religious idols and describes how artisans chisel, polish, anoint and adorn these objects before worshipping them as gods. By giving the formless a form and the nameless a name, people turn their creations into deities. The poem highlights the transactional nature of worship, noting that idols are bought, sold and resold, and it questions whether the creators who made gods can now ask for favours in return. It’s a reflective commentary on the anthropomorphic origins of divinity and the human role in shaping objects of devotion.
Conclusion
The poem ends by pointing out the irony that those who carve and sanctify idols may expect divine favours from what are essentially their own creations. It suggests that gods, as embodied in idols, are human constructs crafted for human needs. By emphasising this reciprocal relationship between creators and their creations, the poet invites readers to reflect critically on the origins of their religious practices.