With Ganesh Chaturthi approaching, clay idol artists have begun to speed up their work to give unique shape to the idols and also please the devotees as well as the God.
There are several clay idol makers in Ponda keeping alive the tradition of making Ganesh idols, which was started by their forefathers. As a business, they say, it is not feasible in present times but making idols increases their faith and brings them joy so they keep doing it.
The Ponda artists who have inherited the art from their ancestors are trying to preserve the tradition for the coming generations, so that villagers will come to their homes to pick up the idols and these will be worshiped in every household.
Speaking to Herald, Umanath Anant Naik from Nagueshi-Bandora, who was busy shaping Ganesh idols said that rising inflation has laid before them a challenge to maintain the family tradition of making idols. He has completed most of the work of making the idol and only the painting remains, which with help from other members of the family he is hoping to complete a day before the Ganesh festival.
Due to the rising costs of clay, paint and other materials it is becoming difficult to carry on the tradition, he says. “We manage it on a no profit, no loss principle. This not a business but a dedicated worship to the God once a year. Our family prepares around 150 idols for the villagers at Kurpaswada-Nagueshi. We try to satisfy our villagers who are buying the idols by making different varieties. I am doing idols for the last 27 years. Now, my son Kedar Naik has also shown interest in preparing the idols,” Naik said.
Umanath inherited the art from his father Anant Harishchandra Naik and uncle Rohidas Harishchandra Naik, who in turn, had learnt the art from their forefathers. “We sell the idols for Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,500 depending upon the size. Sometimes people pay less than the rates decided but we accept it. Keeping the tradition alive with devotion and dedication is more important for us than the money we get,” Naik said.
He said that they face competition from Plaster of Paris idols but there are some people who prefer clay idols. He added that some idols made in factories are also kept on sale in cities but in villages, people prefer idols made in Chitrashalas by traditional artists.
“I think there are many idol makers in Goa and I request the government to keep alive the traditional idol makers by increasing the subsidy from Rs 100 to Rs 250 for each idol considering the rising inflation,” he said.
