JOIN USGanesha Habba’ is round the corner and this is the time when Ganesha visits you in a variety of avatars. The god of good things is also lining the streets of the City in all its pomp and glory.
Huge white plaster of Paris idols are waiting to get painted on Pottery Road. “I’m from Rajasthan and have been making idols since my childhood. I come to Bangalore only during the season. Last time, the sales were less and we are hoping this time, they will improve,” says Prakasha, an idol-maker, as he gives a final touch up to the gigantic ear of Ganesha.
Another idol maker Ramu adds, “Last year I made 100 pieces and all were sold out. This year, I have reduced the idols to just 70 pieces. I have idols starting from six feet height to15 feet and the prices range from Rs 25,000 and more.”
“We have a variety of idols this time from Spiderman avatar idol, Modi Ganesha, budget Ganesha and Ganesha in Lord Krishna avatar,” says Gurudev who owns a shop at VV Puram. The Spiderman and the Modi avatar was conceptualised by M Srinivas, an idol-maker, and the vibrant idol is worth Rs 10,000.
There are also first-time idol-makers who share their experience of creating an art so beautiful and vibrant. “I have made up to 220 idols — from small ones to large ones. The idols are all ready,” says Jeetu from Malleswaram.
Leela, an idol-maker from Rajasthan, says, “I’m making the idols for the first time and it’s a very difficult process. My limbs gets swollen after a long day of work. I have been making idols as I have no other alternative. I hope this year, the sales will be good and I make some money to support my family. The mould is purchased from Mumbai and it takes two to three days to make an eight-feet idol.”
It’s not just the plaster of Paris idols which are creating a buzz in the City. Eco-friendly idols are in vogue and have become hugely popular. In the name of festivity, nature has not been taken for granted as there are few organisations and individuals who are persuading people to go eco-friendly.
‘The Living’ is an organisation run by Vijaylakshmi, who has been making clay idols from the last five years and this time they have a variety of idols like ‘Bombay Ganesha’, ‘Garba Ganesha’ and so on. “We make idols out of clay and use only natural colours. The idols range from seven inches to three feet and the prices range from Rs 300 to Rs 800. Last year, we had sold about 1,000 idols and this year we are expecting more sales,” says Vijaylakshmi.