The tiny village of
Nageshi in Ponda is home to artistes across the fields of theatre, dance,
painting and more and is also home to families of sculptors of clay Ganesh
idols who have passed on this tradition from generation to generation, for over
100 years and counting. In many homes, around this time of the year, the
youngest is as busy as the oldest member in the family – all of them working
together, moulding Lord Ganesh out of clay. And while it is a small and
seasonal business, for these artistes, it is a devotional service unto Lord
Ganesh, above all.
The work begins in June where the clay is
brought mostly from Tivim or Pernem and is dumped at a site nearby. While the
Naik family in Nageshi, spearheaded by Umakant Naik and his 24-year-old son
Kedar, churn out one idol after another at breakneck speed, Umakant’s 95-year-old
father joins them in the final stages of the painting of the idols. This family
produces around 150 idols in one season.
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About a kilometre away from Nageshi, in
Betalwado in Kavlem, the Palkar residence is a lot busier with a target of
around 400 idols to meet. Headed by Sudesh Palkar, work begins at 7 in the
morning and goes on till about 8 in the evening with a few short breaks in
between. Apart from the small sized idols meant for homes, this family is the
chosen one that produces the idol to be installed at Sarvajanik Ganpati in the
Ponda market every year and has been doing it for the last 45 years. This year,
the family has been given the additional responsibility of producing the
Sarvajanik Ganpati of Ponda Police Station, too. The Palkar family otherwise
has been following this tradition for over 100 years and if rumours are to be
believed, the youngest member of the family, Kaushal Sawant, is ready to carry
the mantle, after Sudesh retires.
A visit to a few other homes in various
parts of Ponda narrate a similar story – of a family engaged in devotion and
service unto their deity for generations spanning over 100 years. Ganpati Bappa
is arriving in Goan homes soon and you have these men to thank for it.
