Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Aug 21: Dedication and commitment is required in making Ganesha idols. In addition, the maker should have knowledge of epics also. For certain idol-making artists, the skill has come down through generations. One such Ganesh idol maker is Rajesh Gudigar Basrur.

Rajesh Gudigar Basrur creates the most number of Ganesha idols in the taluk of Kundapur. He thinks this as his religious service to society.

This year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Rajesh received orders late. However, he has got more demand this year than the previous year. Last year Rajesh had made 155 idols of Lord Ganesha. This year he has made 158.

Rajesh is a resident of Balkoor. He makes these idols near the Shishu Mandir of Basrur. Though he prepares more than hundred idols of Ganesha, he is still not recognized by society. This skill has come down to Rajesh Gudigar from the times of his grandfather. Rajesh learnt the skills from Mohan Gudigar. The love towards this art has made Rajesh Gudigar to continue the family tradition.

Gudigar is a BCom graduate from Basrur Sharada college, which he completed in 1993. Later he completed a health inspector diploma also. Though he had many opportunities, he chose the traditional artwork of making Ganesha idols. During the monsoon season, Rajesh makes idols of Lord Ganesha. At other times he makes the idols of Daivas. He is also skilled in painting and wood carving. His idols of Daivas made from wood are as famous as his idols of Lord Ganesha.

Rajesh gives more importance to the use of brush and uses less readymade items. That is why he is in great demand in the district of Udupi.

It is not an easy task to create 158 idols of Lord Ganesha. Rajesh gets orders in the month of June itself and starts working on the idols. It takes him nearly three months to complete all the orders. He works eight hours a day. Patience, dedication and devotion are required in the making of Ganesha idols. Rajesh Gudigar has them all and it can be seen in the idols that he prepares.

Rajesh Gudigar says, "When compared to the present financial situation, the time required to make a Ganesha idol and the price of clay, the price what I get for one idol is very less. Some people even bargain for the price. But I have taken this vocation as the service to God."

Use of environment-friendly colours and making Lord Ganesha in the same style as shown in epics is the specialty of Rajesh Gudigar. For more information, Rajesh can be contacted on his mobile 7760007701.