The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Demand dips for Ganesh idols painted in oils

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Friday, Sep 10, 2010
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Demand dips for Ganesh idols painted in oils

Bangalore Bureau

Campaign for eco-friendly clay idols seems to have paid off

Elderly prefer eco-friendly clay idols without paint
Flower prices soften compared to last festival

BANGALORE: Festival fervour has gripped Bangalore on the eve of Ganesha Chaturthi with shops springing up in every neighbourhood selling Ganesha idols, banana stems, fruits and flowers. This season awareness appears to have been created among people about the need to use eco-friendly Ganesha idols.

Nagalakshmi, who was selling Ganesha idols on Gandhi Bazar Main Road, claimed that there was about 40 per cent decline in the sale of idols painted in oils. “While the elderly appear to have more knowledge about eco-friendly idols and demand clay idols, we too are promoting sale of those pained in water colours,” she said. On the other hand, youngsters ask for plaster of Paris idols.

On the other hand, a few unpainted idols were on sale at Malleswaram 18 {+t} {+h} Cross that was abuzz with festive shopping on Thursday. Sarvottam, whose idol prices ranged between Rs. 20 and Rs. 450 for Ganeshas pained in oils, said acrylic paints were used these days. He claimed that acrylic paints too were eco-friendly.

M. Srinivas, whose family has been in the idol-making business for over six decades, said that they were making PoP idols for five years because of popular demand. Having the unit on R.V. Road, off Lalbagh West Gate, Mr. Srinivas used only vegetable colours for the idols while varnish was used for the final touch up.

Almost all streets in the neighbourhood have stalls selling Ganesha idols, banana stems, fruits and flowers. Roads, by-lanes and pavements in popular festival shopping spots — K.R. Market, Chamarajapet, Gandhi Bazar, Jayanagar 4 {+t} {+h} Block, N.R. Colony, Madiwala, Ulsoor, Malleswaram, Rajajinagar 6 {+t} {+h} Block, Vijayanagar, and so on, are filled with hundreds of hawkers selling festival items.

All Ganesha temples in the city, including the famous Dodda Ganapathi temple on Bull Temple Road, are being spruced up for the celebration and darshan on Saturday.

Like other festivals, those selling flowers and fruits are making a quick buck this time too. Rajashekhar from Goravanahalli has brought about 2,000 banana stems and expects business worth Rs. 7,000 at Gandhi Bazar. He had lost about Rs. 5,000 during Varamahalakshmi.

He said people come from places like Gubbi and Gollahalli in Tumkur district to Bangalore to sell banana stems.

The prices of flowers have come down a little with one maaru of chrysanthemum selling at Rs. 40 as against Rs. 80 during the Varamahalakshmi, said Amavase, a flower vendor.

Along with the sale of items required for Ganesha festival, items required for the Gowri puja namely bangles and mora (bamboo basket) were in great demand at Malleswaram 8 {+t} {+h} Cross. Even hombale (arecanut flower) and ripened raw arecanuts that are widely used in coastal Karnataka for Ganesha worship were available here.

While a few hotels and eateries are offering readymade delicacies – Chakkuli, Karigadubu and Modaka, sale of ready-mix ingredients to make these items was on a brisk pace across the city.

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