Puttur: Srinivas Prabhu - Man who Makes Lord Ganesh out of Clay
Pics: Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (MM/RD)
Puttur, Sep 1: When Ganesh Chathurti, the festival of veneration of Lord Ganesh arrives, the artists who make the idols of Lord Ganesh become busier than ever. There lies a big demand for the idols of Lord Ganesh in undivided Dakshina Kannada and therefore the artists work hard to meet this demand.
Srinivas Prabhu, a resident of of the town has become busy nowadays in making the idols of Ganesh. He has been engaged in this art for the past two decades. He started making idols during his college days and won many prizes. This inspired him to continue with zeal. In the last two decades he has constantly been sought after during festival season by individuals and organizations to prepare an idol of Lord Ganesh of their choice. Despite his busy schedule he always spares time to continue with his talent which had been a passion for him during college days. Even today, at the age of forty, Srinivas recalls days spent in college when his unique talent came to light.
The idols pottered by him have been worshipped in the temples located in Uppinangady, Puttur and Kodimbady in the taluk. He has made only four idols this time as he is actively involved in photography and videography. He has also been recognized as a talented photographer in the town.
He has made idols upto 204 centimetres height. He never demands exact price for the idols he makes, but the customers pay him well. He earns an average of Rs 7,500 per idol, he says.
He starts ten days in advance to Ganesh Chaturthi to make the idol. He spends 2 to 3 hours everyday to finish portions of idol. He brings the clay that is required for the idol, from the nearest tile factory. He also makes idols of goddess Sharada during Navaratri.
Various social welfare and voluntary organizations in Odiyoor and Uppinagady have felicitated him in recognition of his talent. Rotary Club of Vittal hase also honoured him for his gift of carving out masterpieces out of clay. He is unable to make more idols during Ganesh Chathurti this time around, owing to busy schedule of freelancing. But he loves this art, he says.
Ganesh Chaturthi Special on Daijiworld.com