AWAITING FINAL TOUCHES: Ganesh idols in various shapes and sizes lined up at Dhoolpet. PHOTO: P.V.Sivakumar

HYDERABAD: The celebrations for `Vinayaka Chavithi' are yet to pick up in the city, but the artisans of Dhoolpet are preparing Ganesh idols in full swing. However, increase in the cost of Plaster of Paris, State Government's restriction on the height of the idols and the rising demand for idols made by outside artisans have dampened their spirits.

"The rate of Plaster of Paris has doubled since last year. The hike in diesel prices is the reason and we are getting seriously affected," said an artisan Pritam Singh. Another artisan Shakun Bai blamed Rajasthani artisans for the downfall in their trade. "Not much effort is required in their idols. They use cheap material like clay and cover the idols with clothes. They also sell it cheap." Anuvai added, "They make it more Madrasi style."

Given the constraint on the height of the idol by the State Government, artisans believe that small structures measuring 5-6 ft will be sold more this year.

Changing tastes

Artisans said that the taste of customers keeps changing and the competition is high to build unique and different idols than previous year. "Ganesh has to be simple but `mota taaza' (fat). We are making Radha Krishna, Meera and Shankar Parvati on the sides of Ganesh to give it a different look. We cannot repeat last year's designs," he said.

"The sale of the idol depends on our luck. At times we make Rs. 3,000-4,000 for an idol while at times we just have to sell it at half the price," said Shakun Bai.

Most of the artisans borrow money to buy raw material for the idols and whatever is left after clearing the debt is what they survive on for the rest of the year.

Some of them make idols for Durga Puja, Diwali and other small items for the rest of the year.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail