MARGAO: Artists are individuals who perceive the world from a unique perspective, unveiling hidden layers for others to see. As Picasso once stated, “Every child is born an artist. The trick is remaining one as an adult.” Tulshidas Naik, an idol maker from Ambaji, Fatorda, seems to have discovered the secret to staying committed to his art well into his 80’s, a journey that began when he was merely 8.
“Out of curiosity, I used to watch the process of making Ganesh idols when I was eight. I would request the artisans to teach me, but they would drive me away. And then, my mother scolded me for dirtying my clothes while playing with clay,” Naik chuckled, with child-like delight.
“However, I persisted and learned the art of making idols. I was only 19 when I got a job in the Railways, during the pre-Liberation period. We were residing in the Railway quarters at Majorda back then, and certain incidents naturally pushed me into idol making on a regular basis. At the request of my wife, I once crafted seven Ganesh idols for a person in an emergency. The number grew from 25 to 150, and this pattern continued every year. This year, we are crafting 650 Ganesh idols for personal worship and 12 for Sarvajanik Mandals, which are quite large,” Naik said.
A devout Lord Ganesha devotee throughout his life, Naik believes that it’s Ganesha who grants him strength not only in his old age but also when he needs it the most.
He recounted an incident where everyone in his family except him contracted conjunctivitis just before Ganesh Chaturthi.
“One year, all my family members and even the people I had hired to meet the idol-making targets caught conjunctivitis. Chaturthi was just around the corner, and I was the only one who was spared from the illness. I was also engaged in my day job at that time, making things look almost impossible. My reputation as an idol maker was at stake. To this day, I am amazed that I managed to complete the target somehow. Interestingly, I caught the virus only after the 1.5-day visarjan of Ganesh. It’s truly a miracle,” Naik recalled.
With his large number of orders, Naik shared that the work starts as early as February or March. “We bring the ‘shaadu’ type of natural clay from Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Due to the demand, we were also using PoP clay. However, when the government banned PoP idols due to environmental concerns, I realised the gravity of the issue. Since then, we have been exclusively making natural clay idols.”
Naik also admitted that he was concerned about the continuity of his legacy by his children until they expressed their interest in assisting their father. “My eldest son has studied fine arts and excels in drawing the eyes of Ganesha, which is a crucial aspect of the face. My second son is adept at shaping the rest of the idol’s form, while the youngest is skilled in sales
and management. Even my daughter, who is now married, continues to help us,” Naik said with pride. While Naik appreciates the government’s efforts to provide subsidies to idol makers, he believes that the amount is insufficient, particularly given the rising inflation.
“The government offers Rs 25,000 to those who create 250 idols. Previously, idols were more affordable, but now they cost at least 1,000 rupees. Goa is a hub of artists, and greater government efforts are needed for the preservation of traditional arts.”
