The beautifully colorful wood-carved owl is, in fact, an exultation of folk symbols and an exquisite work of master craftsmanship. This tiny sculpture carved from one piece of wood has a very vibrant presence with its colors-white, red, black, yellow, and green-, which makes it relevant in their significance on some cultural or spiritual canvas . The owl is wooden; flat-headed-a rounded shape with human eyes-like an expression of contemplation, rather a projection to divinity. The idol stands on a square pedestal that provides a kind of balance and ceremonial appearance. The Sutradhar community lives and works in West Bengal, and their practice is revered, not merely as "decoration."
The origin of the name 'sutradhars' as such is derived from the word "suta" meaning "to narrate" or "to tell." They were craftsmen directly associated with the making of wooden carvings and idols and performed the temple arts. Motifs from the region may be adapted to embroider the worship of the form with local iconography, but owls hold a rather special place in the folk imagination. Basically, this makes the owl an important symbol in India. Much like this little figurine, it would take up such a spot in some homes, with altars for either the folk rituals or inscribed upon with sacred name as a symbol of sorts. Our present-day artifacts are mostly collections in ethnographic museums like the Indian Museum, Kolkata, which takes pride in preserving the rich and colorful artistic heritage represented by the Sutradhars.