The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Ganesh Chaturthi: a trunk call from tradition

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Friday, Sep 14, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Ganesh Chaturthi: a trunk call from tradition

Swathi Shivanand

There is a crying need for eco-friendly Ganesha idols, but there are few takers

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash k.

MYRIAD FORMS: Artisans blend current topics while making clay models of Ganesha.

BANGALORE: In a culture that prides itself on having three crore gods, there is one endearing, pot-bellied, food-loving deity whose birthday is round the corner. Any locality worth its “kadubu” will have a sizeable Ganesha idol. This apart, millions of idols are worshipped in Hindu households on Vinayaka Chaturthi which is on September 15.

What was once a household affair, was transformed into a galvanizing force by Bal Ganbgadhar Tilak during the freedom movement. “It became popular here because parts of Karnataka were then with the Bombay State. Bal Gangadhar Tilak had ardent followers in Alur Venkat Rao and Gangadhararao Deshpande, who popularised it here in Karnataka,” says historian Suryanath U. Kamath.

From the time it became a mass celebration, the festival became platform for expression of current trends and concerns.

“The idols used to be dressed up as Gandhi or Tilak. There was even a rangoli depicting the Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova at a pandal. Now of course, people celebrate the festival playing catchy film numbers,” says Dr. Kamath.

Changed ways

“In my father’s time, 40 years ago, we used to make only about 20 four-foot tall idols. And we would be happy if we could sell them. Now, we make idols as high as 60 ft and all of them are bought for certain,” says M. Srinivas who sells Ganesha and Gowri idols during the season on R.V. Road and runs a juice shop at other times.

Apparently, the Ganesha idols in demand are the Bombay, Pune and Kolkata models. “These idols come only in big sizes. If you want smaller ones for your home, then you can buy the Mysore and Bangalore Ganeshas,” says Srinivas.

Environment issues

With environment a raging issue, government agencies and other organizations have been trying to bring in the eco-friendly flavour to the festival.

While the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike are engaged in reducing the pollution that idol immersions cause, there are other efforts to reduce the toxicity of the idols itself.“We are trying to promote clay models or ones painted in vegetable dyes. It is still a nascent initiative but we have been encouraged by positive responses received from artists’ and artists’ groups,” says Vimala Rangachar, chairperson of the Crafts Coucil of Karnataka.

The demand for “bright” idols has stopped artisans from taking orders for eco-friendly Ganeshas.

At Pottery Town, where idols seem to be pouring out from every corner, Anand, a craftsperson who is a Public Works Department employee, points out: “There are too many problems with the eco-friendly ones. Clay Ganeshas don’t work because people usually ask for colourful ones. We cannot use vegetable dyes because it is time-consuming, does not dry fast or look as attractive as the enamel-coated ones.”

Like other dying crafts, idol-making has become unprofitable and the youth are not keen on learning it, leaving older artisans with the burden of preserving tradition.

As Mr. Anand says: “I come from a community of craftspersons. I have taken leave from office to make idols because I do not want to leave my ancestral tradition.”

A similar sentiment is echoed by Mr. Srinivas: “I am doing more than a business. If I leave the profession, then who will continue it?”

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