Harshini Brahmavar
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Aug 25: It is that time of the year when people across the country gear up to celebrate Lord Ganesh and seek His blessings in a special way. The atmosphere is rich with festivities and for idol makers, it is one of the busiest times of the year.
Meet Bhaskar Kotian, a self-made Ganapati idol maker who has been in the business for the last 28 years. He has a small shed where he can make as many as 16 idols at a time.
Kotian is a simple man and welcomes everyone with a smile. He is jovial with workers yet focused on carving Ganapati idols. When you meet the 63-year-old Bhaskar A Kotian, he is in many ways similar to Ekalavya, a self taught hunter in Hindu epic.
After three months of hard work day in and out, now all Ganapas are being readied to get farewell.
Kotian has loyal customers in the city. His wife Padmavathi is his pillar of support. She supports her husband in work in carving, jewellery making and giving the finishing touch.
Padmavathi says, "We have completed 31 years of married life. I am a homemaker. In the beginning I was nervous but now I support him in all his endeavours. Earlier we were residing in Malpe and later shifted to Kediyoor. From last ten years, I am helping my husband in designing Ganapti idols."
The couple is blessed with daughters who also help their father in colouring the idols and decorating them.
Elder daughter Sowmya says, "I like painting. I love spending time at my father's workshop. Everything is gifted by God to us. So we believe that this is a kind of service to Him. I come here on holidays to help my father during this season."
Bhaskar hails from a fisherman’s family but due to his interest in painting, he chose to become an artist. Bhaskar grew up in a middle-class family and studied upto second PUC. Due to the financial constraints, he dropped out from college. He then ventured into fishing with his father as it was the family occupation. At the age of 20, he did wall paintings. Gradually he became an independent artist. Later on, he specialized in statue carving idols.
Once he was confident of his talent, he approached Eluru Sarvajanika Ganeshotsav committee with a request to give him an opportunity to express his talent. Since then he has never looked back.
Bhaskar has carved 13 public Ganapati idols for the festival so far.
In his unique collection is a special five-and-a-half foot tall statue of Ganapati dressed in Yakshagana attire. It was ordered by Manipal Ganeshotsava committee. There is another one which is carved in the form of Dravida.
As there is shortage of clay in Udupi which is essential for his work, he buys it from Kundapur.
He says he usually does not install Ganapati idol at his home and follows a vegetarian diet for three months during this season.
"During the time of legendary artist Ravivarma, artists used eco-friendly natural colours. I also do not use plaster of paris. We see to it that our products do not harm nature. The colour and clay will melt easily in well or pond," says Bhaskar.
Bhaskar Kotian is also a contractor who makes idols with cement. He has designed 'gopuras' of temples in Badaniyur, Vitobha Rukmini Bhajana Mandir, Mattu, Kaipunjalu and Nitynanda Bhajana Mandir. He has expanded his market not only in Udupi but also in Polipu, Uliyaragoli, Theerthahalli, Anjaneya temple and has carved a 15-foot- idol of Shankaracharya at Kollur temple.
Bhaskar Kotian also teaches painting to 20-25 students.