পুতুল গ্রাম | নতুন গ্রাম | Putul Gram | Natun Gram

Natungram (or Putul Gram) is a famous craft village located in Burdwan (Purba Bardhaman) district of West Bengal, India. It is popularly known as “Putul Gram”, which literally means “Doll Village”, because it is home to the traditional wooden doll and toy-making artisans of Bengal.

Location: Near Katwa, in Agradwip Gram Panchayat, Purba Bardhaman district, West Bengal.

Distance: Around 150 km from Kolkata and about 60 km from Bardhaman town

Nearest railway station: Agradwip or Katwa

Why it’s called “Putul Gram”

“Putul” means doll in Bengali.
Natungram is famous for its wooden dolls, toys, and figurines, handcrafted by generations of artisan families. Nearly 45 families in the village are engaged in this craft, passing the skills down through generations.

Traditional Craftwork

The artisans carve wooden dolls, owls, mythological figures, and animals using local wood (mainly gamhar or neem).

Owl figurines are the most iconic — they symbolize prosperity and wisdom in Bengali culture, often gifted during Lakshmi Puja.

After carving, the dolls are hand-painted with bright natural and synthetic colors, giving them a rustic yet vibrant look.

Artisan Community

The craft is primarily done by Sutradhar (carpenter) families.

Each family works in their own small workshop or courtyard.

The work is usually divided: men carve the wood, while women paint and decorate the dolls.

Festivals and Tourism

Every year, a Putul Mela (Doll Fair) is held to promote local crafts.

The village has also been included in West Bengal’s Rural Craft Hub project, supported by Banglanatak.com and UNESCO, to preserve and promote this traditional art form.

How to Visit

You can take a train from Howrah to Katwa (2.5–3 hrs), then hire a local toto or auto to reach Natungram (around 7–8 km).

Or travel by road via Bardhaman–Katwa Road.

What to Buy

Wooden owl dolls, Lakshmi-Narayan idols, Rama-Sita figures, folk toys, and decorative wooden masks — all made by hand.

Prices are affordable, starting from ₹100 upwards, depending on size and design.

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