Thejaswi U Poojary

Pics: Jeevan D’Costa

Udupi, Sep 5: As Krishna Janmashtami concludes and Ganesh Chaturthi approaches, the final touches are being applied to Ganesh idols across the city. Among the artisans, retired teacher and acclaimed sculptor Kalmadi Shekar Poojary stands out for his dedication to crafting and promoting environmentally friendly Ganesh idols.

Shekar Poojary, a retired principal and art teacher at Nehru High School in Alevoor for nearly 38 years, has been sculpting clay Ganesh idols for over four decades. His journey began with a confident acceptance to sculpt a Ganesh idol despite having no prior experience, and since then, he has become a pivotal figure in Alevoor's Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, known for his artistic contributions.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Alevoor Ganesh Chaturthi celebration, which Shekar started with Alevoor Nagaraj. Each year, Shekar and his team meticulously craft eco-friendly idols using water-based colors and avoiding harmful chemicals. This year's centerpiece is a ‘Garuda Vahana Ganapathi’, following previous themes like ‘Partha Sarathi’ with six Moshikas (rats) and ‘Herambha Ganapathi’ featuring five heads.

The process of creating these idols is both extensive and detailed. Shekar's team, which includes Umesh Acharya, Jayakar Poojary, Ravikiran, Chandrakanth, Vinod Manchi, Natesh, and Subbramanya Nayak, begins working three months in advance. Sculpting a large Ganesh idol takes five to six days, with the team often working late into the night to ensure each idol is perfect.

The workspace used for idol-making is kept exclusively for this purpose, emphasizing purity and tradition. The house where the idols are made remains unoccupied and is not rented out during this time, reflecting the reverence Shekar brings to his craft.

Over the years, Shekar has adapted to modern techniques, transitioning from hand-painting to more efficient methods. Despite these advancements, he remains committed to teaching aspiring artists, having already mentored eight students in the art of idol sculpting. His wife and three children have been pivotal in supporting his passion and helping preserve this cultural tradition.

Shekar has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards for his contributions, including the People's Favorite Teacher Award, District Best Teacher Award, Malpe Raghavendra Award, Dattani Guru Shri Teacher Award, Upadhyaya Sanman National Award, and the Krishna Anugraha Award from Krishna Math, among others. He has sculpted idols of various deities, including Ganapati, Sharade, Kanya Mariamma, Vishwakarma, Koti Chennaya, Narayana Guru Swami, and Vishnu Murthy.

Shekar stresses the importance of continuing this traditional art form, advocating for the use of eco-friendly materials and the elimination of harmful chemicals. He orders clay well in advance and recognizes the role of weather in the drying process of the idols. By teaching others and promoting sustainable practices, Shekar is ensuring that this cherished art form will endure for generations to come.

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