Team Herald
PERNEM: With the much-anticipated Ganesh Chaturthi festival fast approaching, preparations are in full swing across the State. With just five days left for the festival tp commence, excitement and dedication towards the festival is palpable throughout the State.
The idol makers were also seen giving finishing touches to clay Ganesh idols. In Morjim, renowned artist Sajro Dattaram Shetgaonkar was seen meticulously crafting clay Ganesh idols and paintings at his Saraswati Dattaram Ganesh art's school. However, Shetgaonkar has appealed to the government for financial assistance, requesting a clay machine and compressor on a subsidised basis due to a lack of workers and external help.
Shetgaonkar said, “I have been making clay Ganesh idols and for the 25 years, my idols are purchased by worshippers from Morjim, Pernem, Siolim, Calangute, Candolim and other parts of Bardeza taluka. I am making idols of different sizes i.e. from one-and-half feet to five feet tall. I am using water colour so that it does not cause pollution when immersed in water bodies.”
Shetgaonkar said that though the State government had enhanced subsidy from Rs 100 to Rs 200 per idol from this year, the non-availability of workers particularly to mould clay mud was a major hurdle. “I was assured a mould clay machine but yet to receive it. I am receiving monthly financial assistance under Kala Samman Scheme of Directorate of Art and Culture,” he added.