Adding a modern twist to the traditional Ganesh idols, an NGO in Panjim had created ripples with their innovative and out-of- the-box ideas. YUVA, an NGO association from Mala in Panaji, which is very regular with different curriculum to develop the social sector of Panaji, created a Ganesh Idol sitting on swing made of out of coir string (sutli) and could be moved using an android app last year. The app had the controls to move the Ganesh Idol, which is further seen eating ‘laddu’ and moving heads while on the swing.
This year they came up with a fresh idea in pursuit of supplanting the all acclaims and accolades they had garnered from across the state and Goan Diaspora with the app-abled Ganesh idol.
This time it was finery art-work that swept devotes and visitors of the idol. This time they made a 12 feet tall idol with 30,000 matchsticks. Their thought complemented with rigorous hard work was paid off . They have already bagged a number of awards for their authentic idea. The other materials used were paper, saw dust, wooden ash revealed elated Raghuvir Mahale, founder and vice president of YUVA.
“We have applied for Limca Book of Records and India Book of Records for tallest Ganesh made out of match sticks and the criteria set for us in both were to make a Ganesh idol of 10feet height with 25,000 match sticks whereas our application, which is submitted we have made Ganesh idol of 12feet height with 30,000+ match sticks. Hoping to create this record as it will be one of the first record from Goa for tallest and eco-friendly Ganesh,” said Raghuvir.
There were more surprise elements attached to it. Installed in Heritage Fonte Pheonix Mala Zar in Mala, it’s a shadow controlled Ganesh, which rotates on shadow of the viewer who enters Mala Zar.
“The idol rotates in semi circular motion. The scene depicts mushakraj (rat) worshipping linga (form of lord Shankar) and leads to birth of Ganesh out of lotus. We had also shown elephant which showers water to welcome Ganesh. The depiction of a crocodile trying to eat was to prove survival of the strongest theory,” added Raghuvir who is an engineer by profession.
Raghuvir added that they were inspired by the innovative idols made at Marcel every year and were also driven by their desire to promote creativity, innovation along with tech in Chaturthi.
He further added, the team was also influenced by the works of Marcel Ganesh mandals and they expressed their gratitude to the artists from Marcel and Cumajrua to start this initiative and lead youth like them to take up such an initiative, churn out eco-friendly ideas, and promote it.
“We have a few plans for next year. Like last two years, we shall bring about something innovative for people and the material that would be used to make Ganesh shall also be one which is not seen or used by anyone,” quipped a member of the YUVA team.
When asked to comment on the positive reactions it received, YUVA team members said it had exceeded their expectations as they had attempted for the first time to do it outside the space given by the Ganeshotsav mandal. “We chose this location so that all can visit it freely and also we are successfully to bring about attention of visitors towards this Mala Zar, which has a heritage value and is cleaned annually by YUVA,” added Raghuvir
It is to be noted that the Raghuvir is the recipient of Goa State Youth Award for the year 2015-16 and YUVA has individually won best Youth Award at district and state level through Nehru YUVA Kendra, Government of India and has recently been nominated for state award by Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs government of Goa.
Dr.Rufino Monteiro is the founder, patron and president of YUVA.
