With a week left for the Gouri and Ganesha festival, idol makers are busy giving final touches to the idols.

During the festival the devotees worship these idols of different styles and colours with pomp and gaiety, praying for removal of obstacles in their way to success.

However, Lord Ganesha still seems not have looked into the problems of the idol makers who provide these devotees impressive idols.

For these idol makers this is the season for harvest i.e. to earn income. Once the festival is over, they have to wait for the next festive season.

Besides, the clay used in making of the idol is brought from far off places. They also have to spend money on wooden planks, coconut fibre and other substances that they require to make the idols.

They have to invest on these things though they may have to wait for a long time to get the returns, let alone profit.

The couple Somashekhar and Suma of Katharipalya here have carried out the tradition of idol making from generations. The business, which earlier generation ran on a small scale, now has been extended.

They bring clay for the idol from Shivara of Malur taluk, Horamavu near Bangalore, Hagara Kere, Lakkur lake. Once they have the clay, fibre and planks collected, their work is easy.

 They soak clay in water for 15 to 20 days before starting their work. They also hire workers from Tamilnadu who have expertise in idol making. Around 15 to 20 workers will be busy in preparing the idols to meet the demands.
People from all most all taluks of Kolar district, Bangalore, Bangalore rural district, Mandya, Tumkur, Chitradurga and border areas of Andhra Pradesh come here to purchase the idols, claim Somashekhar.

Around 5,000 to 6,000 idols will be made every year said, Somashekhar adding that they include small, medium and of varied sizes. Idols of small sizes have more demand and the idols of three to three and a half feet are also in demanded, according to Somashekhar.

Investment
Every year Rs eight to nine lakh will be invested in the idol making. However, it is difficult to adjust such large amount, he said. As income is uncertain, the private finances hesitate to lend money. State Bank of Mysore lends loan as working capital. However, the amount is very less.

Labour
There are not many trained workers in idol making and hence, the shortage of man power is a usual problem.
To avoid hiring sheds on rent every year, Somashekhar has plans of purchasing the land in the outskirts to construct his own shed.

The couple is content with the business which has been their family business for the last hundred years or so.