culture

March 18, 2026

‘Almost human’: life-size replicas of the dead help mend broken hearts in India

The silicone figures are a touching version of what the Hindi language calls ‘smaran’, or remembrance

‘Almost human’: life-size replicas of the dead help mend broken hearts in India

TL;DR

  • Subimal Das's workshop in Kolkata creates hyper-realistic, life-size replicas using clay, fibreglass, and silicone.
  • The workshop offers custom-made replicas of deceased individuals, primarily commissioned by bereaved spouses.
  • These figures are designed to help customers manage grief and loss, keeping a semblance of their loved ones in their homes.
  • The practice aligns with the Hindu concept of 'smaran,' meaning remembrance, reflecting a complex view of death and the afterlife.
  • The workshop also creates replicas of religious figures, cultural icons, and celebrities.

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