Vinayaka Shet's life is dedicated to Ganesha idols

By Joshwa D’Souza
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Mangaluru, Sep 3: With Ganeshotsava around the corner, there is an air of festivity in the city. Take a walk through the crowded lanes and you just cannot miss the grand pandals, incandescent lights and shop displaying delicious modaks.

At the heart of all the enthusiasm are Ganesh idols. Even though mostly from clay, the idols are made out of a variety of materials and decorated in vibrant colours to mark the Lord's birthday.

Idol-making workshops dot the city and clamour devotees to take their favourite god home. Vinayak Shet, an artisan who is working out of a small rented shop in car-street says, “We only make clay idols and not the ones using POP. We bring the clay from Koteshwar near Kundapur as the tile factories have shut their doors in city. The finish you see in the handmade clay idols is very different.”

Vinayak has been making idols for the past 25 years. The fact that people nowadays prefer eco-friendly Ganesh idols is an advantage for his business, he says, but that's not what keeps him going. His motivation comes from his passion for his art and his faith in Lord Ganesha. “We are not here to make profit but to enjoy the spirit of this festival,” he says.

“I learnt this art from my teacher MS Kudva who is a guide in clay sculpting for many. Ever since a child, I was fascinated about making Ganesha idols but it's been 22 years since I started a workshop and dedicated myself to this.”

“This year I've made 108 idols and most of them on prior booking. A few of them I keep for retail sale and since every household worships Ganesha traditionally and this is something the city has retained in spite of its exponential expansion and hence the demand has remained the same.”

“It's been four months since I started this work. From bringing, the clay moulding and painting require a great deal of patience. My seven assistants assist me in every stage and this year I've brought 200 blocks of clay for 108 idols. I use natural colour for making the idols which is soluble in water.”

The sculptor who considers Rajashekar as his present guide expresses his concern about the competition from the online shopping websites. “Thank God we do not have people buying non eco-friendly POP Ganesha idols like the rest of the country in the city due to which the clay Ganesha still feeds us.”

“The plaster of Paris Ganeshas available in online websites are easy to make and consume very less time and efforts compared to the clay Ganesha. Hope Mangalureans keep the same tradition for many more years,” he says with a sigh.

From elaborate themes to engineered theatricals, Ganesh pandals in the city have plenty of stories to tell. But the peripheral arrangements aside, for those in the
business of idol-making, living up to expectations and maintaining their distinct style is what gives them the edge.

Meet Subramanya Rao who fashions idols of elephant-headed god Ganesha

News: Harshini Brahmavar
Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Udupi, Sep 3: The entire country is gearing up to celebrate the birth anniversary of lord Ganesha. This festival is a very auspicious day celebrated to pray to the god so that every new activity that is started is successfully completed without any obstacles. In this context, let us meet a man who has been creating these idols from the past five decades.

Subramanya Rao, a resident of Udupi Kadiyali has been preparing idols of the deity from the last 54 years. The art of carving the deity has been derived by him from his forefathers.

He prepares idols of several deities including that of Ganesha. He knows to prepare idols out of wood and metals too. It has been a source of income for him.

He starts preparing the idols at the beginning of monsoon every year and continues for the next three months. His wife, family members and artists participate enthusiastically in the work. He prepares between 100-120 idols. He has orders to prepare 108 Ganapathi idols this year.

He makes the idols in different forms based on the orders. The sizes vary between 2½ feet and 9 feet. Idols prepared by him are sent to Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Tamil Nadu, Mandarthi, Kollur and several other places.

In the past, idols were made with clay for immersion in sea. However there is demand for decorative idols these days.
He has provided idols for Ganeshotsava in Kadiyali for the last fifty years.

Subramanya says that those who prepare the idols of deities should also have the feeling of worship. “If the work is done with love towards workers, the deity will bless and inspire for still better work,” he says.

The colour that he uses is natural. That which comes from mud should go back to mud is his desire and belief.

Unique Ganesha made of paper for environment awareness

News & Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Udupi, Sep 3: Venki Palimar, Srinath Manipal and Ravi Hirebettu, sand artists at Bhavani Enterprises behind Udupi Court, with the coordination of Purushotham Patel have prepared a unique art work of Ganesha. The art work prepared on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi made up of drawing sheet and handmade paper is ten feet high and weighs between 3 kg and 4 kg.

Every year, the artists create Ganesha idols in a similar fashion to spread awareness and provide knowledge about the environment.

The art work prepared by them in the past using paper cups and handicraft materials were the center of attraction among people in Udupi. The Ganesha is available for public viewing starting Saturday, September 3 through September 15.

Kundapur: Ganesha in sand from 13 years

By Silvester D’Souza

Kundapur, Sep 3: Harish, an artist in Kundapur, makes Ganesha in sand every year.

He has been doing it for the past 13 years. This is his 37th sand idol.

He takes four hours to make this idol. He says his art is always environment friendly.