The study examined the historical evolution, craft identity, socio-economic conditions, and material practices of Dhoolpet’s idol-making community. Primary interviews and workshop observations indicate that idol-making emerged in the 1960s–70s as a livelihood strategy among migrant families and subsequently evolved in response to festival demand, market pressures, and material availability.

Unlike established craft centres such as Kumartuli and Pen, Dhoolpet lacks a deeply documented hereditary craft lineage. The practice is therefore understood as an adaptive informal craft, whose cultural identity has developed through repeated practice, community participation, and economic necessity. The study also highlights spatial constraints, dependence on POP, environmental concerns, and limited institutional support, indicating the need for sustainable material and policy interventions.