"Ban sale of chemical paints with toxic elements,” demanded G Rajashekhar, an artisan in Pottery Town. Like Rajashekhar many artists in Pottery Town near Benson Town are of the opinion that ban on such paints is a solution to avoid pollution of tanks during Ganesha festivals.

Artisans argue that they have been using chemical paints only to satisfy customers. “Customers are very particular about good finish. Though customers keep idols only for a few days they demand attractive well-finished idols. We have to use chemical paints to satisfy them. If sale of such paints is banned customers would accept idols without such paints,” he said.

Rajashekar, an electrical engineering graduate, is a State award winner for his terracotta designs. While he is the guiding force for many potters who are into idol making, his four brothers are busy in making Ganesh idols.
Asked why artisans can’t use eco-friendly paints like turmeric (haldi), artisan Raju said, it is difficult to give good finish to the idols with such paints. “Such colours fade in rain. Moreover we can’t keep the idols with such colours in the hot sun. We use water paints, which consist less chemicals, prominently. Only for the final finishing we use varnishes, which act as water proof,” he said.

Mr Rajashekhar said use of varnishes is essential to keep idols attractive. “We use very less amount of varnish. A 10 feet Ganesha idol consumes only about 100 gms of varnish. However, we are ready to stop using varnishes, provided the effective alternatives are available.”

Hike in price
Eighteen-year-old Rajesh Kumar has been involved in making Ganesha idols for the last five years. He said price of idols has gone up by 20 per cent this year due to increase in prices of clay and paints. Tank-beds have been converted into residential layouts, causing shortage of quality clay. “Price of one truck of clay varies between Rs 3,000 and 4,000 depending on the distance travelled. Due to urbanisation we have to go distant places to get clay according to our requirement. Besides, price of paints keep increasing by 20 per cent every year,” said artisan Ramesh.

In the last few years number of families making Ganesha idols has come down. Rajashekhar said nearly 20 families have stopped making idols. “Aged persons can’t continue the profession. Moreover younger generation is not interested to take up the same profession.”

14-year old Aravind, son of artisan Shivanand, said he does not want to continue his father’s job. “I want to continue my studies and join armed services. I have been seeing how my parents struggle to sell idols every year. I don’t want to be in the same predicament,” he said.