PONDA: In a unique display of creativity, several artists from Ponda taluka through their eco-friendly decorations and matoli during the ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi Festival have sent out a clear message of protecting forest and hills.
The artists fear that the destruction of hills and forests will deprive them of the eco-friendly items used for the matoli.
According to artists, fruits and vegetables of medicinal value, which are the sources for matoli, can be available only if hills and forests are protected.
Pritesh Prakash Naik, a young artist from Nagzar-Curti along with his family members has displayed eco-friendly decorations made from coconut palm, leaves and other natural items.
Another artist Tanaji Gaude from Bandora has displayed a Matoli depicting Lord Balaji while Datta Naik has depicted Goddess Lairai in the matoli prepared at Priol.
Besides them, artists such as Vishant Gaude and Shrikant Satarkar have also displayed attractive matoli at their residences in Curti respectively.
These artists and their family members have been engaged in the making matoli and eco-friendly decorations for several years and have won State-level awards at the competitions organised by the government.
It is pertinent to note that these artists have used their living rooms to display the eco-friendly decorations using over 300 fruits and vegetables of medicinal value which are tied to the matoli above Ganesh idol which has been attracting several devotees.