Team Herald
PONDA: With Ganesh Chaturthi fast approaching, artisans from across Ponda taluka are busy giving final touches to the idols.
Despite the rising costs of materials, Ganesh idol makers, like Tulshidas Naik, have continued the 150-year-old tradition started by their forefathers.
Tulshidas, a retired bank employee from Amadi-Keri, said that he inherited the idol-making legacy from his father at the age of 10 and has been crafting idols for the past 45 years.
He said that his great grandfather had started the tradition around 150 years ago, later followed by his grandfather and his father. His elder brother too learned this art and continued the legacy.
Tulshidas further stated that after completing his education, he got a job in a bank and remained busy. But thereafter within a few years his elder brother expired.
Tulshidas said, “Following my brother’s death, I decided to continue the legacy of making idols along with my job. I am not making idols for business purposes, but to continue the tradition of my forefathers. Out of devotion for Lord Ganesh, I am doing it. It gives me energy and spiritual satisfaction. He said his friends also help him in idol making.”
Tulshidas said that he is driven by devotion and spiritual satisfaction rather than profit. With the help of his friends, Tulshidas said he creates around 75 idols, which are purchased by villagers.
He said that the increased cost of clay and transportation, coupled with the delayed government subsidy, pose challenges for idol makers.