Friday, August 26, 2016

Working professionals, students create Ganesha idol

Working professionals and college students come together to make clay Ganesha ahead of Vinayaka Chaturthi festival just to continue the tradition carried on their forefathers. Some of them even have took a month's leave just to involve themselves in making the clay idols. While in some cases entire family members come together to make idols.

Swamy, a resident of Gowrishankar Nagar, who works for a monthly salary in a garment shop becomes the artist for two months preceding the Ganesha festival. Immediately after returning from work around 6.30pm, he starts working on the idols and continues to work till he retires to bed at around 2 am. He feels a profound sense of satisfaction while creating the idols.

Rajesh, a resident of Kumbar Koppalu, who is employed in a factory, makes himself free during this period to make idols. Over a two month period he makes on an average 40 clay Ganesha idols.

Student Anitha, resident of Gokulam says: 'From last ten years am helping my family in making Ganesha Idols. I sketch and colour the idols. I enjoy in giving finishing for the idols.'

Labour Problem

As in any other labour intensive works even makers of Ganesha idols are also facing shortage of man power with their businesses being severely affected. Ramanna who has been making idols for the past four decades is able to make only around 23 idols this year, while a decade ago he was able to make more than 400.

He says: 'Non availability of labour is a major problem. Some of those who hail from the traditional Ganesha making families, working in different factories have come to help me for a period of one month. This time have got three working professionals who join hands with me every four hours in the evening to create idols'.    

The sad part is apart from dearth of labours, all this the traditional makers are facing challenges in market with the sale of Plaster of Paris (PoP), which are multi-hued and also come in attractive shapes fetching good margins. The artist say in spite of several challenges they have decided not to give up making clay idols solely because of the joy and satisfaction they derive out of it.

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Royal Ganesha to make onlookers spellbound

Artist Shyam Sundar has created 'Royal Ganesha', who happens to be a third generation artist hails from a family that has been making clay Ganesh Idols for the royal family.
Artist Shyam, who comes out with rare and unique concepts every year, has created a replica of Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar with face of Ganesha this time. The Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Ganesha Idol standing at 4.5 feet height has come out quite naturally. It is adorned with the traditional Mysuru Peta along with Royal insignia of Ganaberunda. The idol has been made using 250 kg of clay with a wooden circle surrounding to the Idol.

Artist Shyam Sundar says: 'One of the most memorable event this year in Mysuru was the inauguration of the statue of Jayachamaraja Wadiyar at the Hardinge Circle. I wanted to connect it with the history of Mysuru and create Ganapa Wadiyar statue. Residents of Alanahalli have already booked the idol.'

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