Pics:Spoorthi Ullal

Deekshith DV

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 15: Sadashiva Kudripadavu has been making clay idols of Lord Ganesha for the last 39 years. This year too he has made 97 idols and all of them are eco-friendly as he has used water colours to design them.

Sadashiva Kudripadavu is a resident of Kallamundkur village, Kotrapadi. He is the 10th child for his parents. He did his primary education in Patte and later in Niddodi. He continued after 7th standard till PUC at Pompei College in Kinnigoli.

Sadashiva Kudripadavu, who is basically a teacher, says he was inspired to make idols from his teacher Achutha Acharya. Earlier, he used to write banners for social and political programmes. But, he learnt to make clay idols all by himself without any formal training.

He makes varieties of idols ranging from one foot to six feet in his Savitha art room and all his idols are uniquely designed. He is joined by his wife and daughter in designing of the idols. He begins preparing idols eight months ahead of Vinayaka Chaturthi festival.

Sadashiva Kudripadavu sends idols to Veenor, Kashipatna, Kadandale, Kinnigoli,Nerode,Kaikamba and to various other places. During Navarathri he prepares Goddess Sharada’s idols.

Speaking to daijiworld.com, he says when faced with financial problems his friends helped him to prepare the idols. Sadashiva also prepares fibre statues for various events. He recalls the days when he came from abject poverty.

"Earlier I used to spend sleepless nights while making Ganesh idols," he says and adds that the idols that he made had been sold without much profit.