Generations of Goan artisans shape Ganesh idols against the odds

Ganesh Chaturthi or Chavath, as is popularly said in Konkani across the State of Goa, is the most favourite festival of the Goans and no family remains untouched by the arrival of Lord Ganesh in their home. There are families spread across the remote villages in Goa that have been engaged in moulding the clay idols, and doing it meticulously year after year come what may. Albeit the registered Goan artisans do get subsidy per idol from the Goa government as incentive, but this is too little and does not cover the cost of making the idol, as the prices of the raw materials have escalated over the years. There’s also been uncertainty of availability of typical soft clay ‘shadu’ and ‘chikanmati’ dug from specific fields in Goa and its import from the neighbouring Karnataka and Maharashtra, is also becoming tedious and expensive.

What makes these artisans keep aside all other engagements and activities and indulge in the creative art of shaping their favourite, popular deity? Is it the devotion that they carry in their hearts, or is it the family tradition passed on to them by their forefathers that they are following religiously and with authenticity? Considering the amount of work, efforts, energy, time and money goes into moulding the idol, the remuneration is miniscule. Many of the artisans who are in their late fifties, sixties or seventies show concern that their next generation does not have so much patience to sit in one place for hours working on the intricacies or soiling their hands in clay.

Learning & earning

Amar Shet, an artisan from Mayem is optimistic that the next generation will take the traditional art forward. “Our family is involved in Ganesh idol making for over 150 years. I learnt from my father and now my son is taking keen interest in learning the art. I give him freehand. Focussing on the art is like meditation. It also allows control over hand movements, and develops love for other arts too.”

But there are artisans who experience exactly the opposite. “We learnt the art from our grandparents and parents, but today’s generation does not have time to sit with us and learn the intricacies. Our daughters do help us in painting the idols after completion, but once they get married and go away, it’s difficult for them to come and help out during Chavath. Our grown up sons prefer jobs, or run businesses, and thus have no time to devote to the family art. Also, the vocation is seasonal and the artwork needs six months, beginning from January till August or September, depending upon the festival date. Rest of the year there is no work. As earning for a living is also important, we cannot force them to stay back or take long leaves before Chavath to help us,” shared a clay artisan from Kumbharwada, Bicholim.

Involvement of younger generation

Some of the young artisans in Goa are still engaged in making idols of Shadu mati. Tukaram Borkar is taking forward the legacy of his late father Hiru Borkar at Bhoma. Working in the electricity department at Marcel, Tukaram is busy in creating beautiful Ganesh idols for the devotees. Tukaram helped his late parents since childhood and learnt the nuance of the art, and continues the family tradition without any break. His idols are worshipped in around 170 homes in Nagzarwada, Bhom, Dongri, Marcel, Kundai and Dhulapi.

“My great grandfather used to make 8-10 idols, grandfather increased this number, and my father used to make 200 idols. Due to his health issues he invited his cousin brother Vasant from Madapai for help. Till date uncle Vasant comes to help in our workshop. The clay is brought from Mandrem by truck in May, separated and cleaned. Our legwork has now been mechanised and a machine moulds the clay, saving our physical labour. My brother Sunil Bhomkar helps me in the process,” shares Tukaram who gets a helping hand from his daughters for painting with water colours. Tukaram is training his brother’s son in the art of moulding the idol, aiming to continue the family tradition.

While it is heartwarming to see Tukaram and his entire clan committed to continue the legacy, there’s another chitrashala Vithu Art at Shirkarwada Morjim where art is taught to the fifth generation in the family. Three child artists, Yash, Ayush and Ishant Shetgaonkar who were trained to make idols for the past two years, have independently crated a 2-ft idol for the first time this year. The trio devote two hours daily after school to learn the art, make idols and gift their friends.

Hari and Shyamsundar Shetkar from Mhauswada Pernem use only Kumbhari mati to make around 40 idols, exclusively for the Deshprabhu, Sinai, Desai, Saraswat community as the families from these communities worship only Kumbhari mati idols. According to Shetkar today’s young generation is taking interest in learning the art and if only clay idols are made in Goa, the demand for PoP idols will automatically reduce. Youth in the area visit homes to create awareness about clay idols and request people not to purchase PoP idols for environmental reasons. Schools are also taking students to visit chitrashalas to observe practical demonstrations. A Mapusa school recently took students to visit Laxman Nhayginkar’s chitrashala at Parse.

Ban on PoP idols

As the Goa government has taken a strict stand against the use of PoP (Plaster of Paris) idols, the demand for clay idols has risen considerably, claims a vendor from Mapusa. Maharashtra supplies to 30-40 % of Goa’s requirement of idols, which includes PoP idols too. These idols are booked in advance by the vendors in Goa in March. “This year too we had already booked, but the government’s ban on PoP idols will impact our sales and we may suffer losses,” he pointed out.

The price of the imported idols is lesser than those made in Goa. In most markets in Goa, idols have already arrived for sale. The prices begin from Rs 800 to RS 2000 for a two or more ft idol depending upon its size. The smaller size idols are ideally suited for private installation in homes. Bigger idols of two-three ft are priced between Rs 5000 to 10,000. A five ft idol costing Rs 20000-30000, is purchased by Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals for public installations.

On an average one vendor brings 500-1000 idols but this time the number has reduced. Some chitrashalas have kept 300 idols. The idols begin to arrive at the chitrashalas when Shravan starts. Many had ordered PoP idols, but due to the ban, they had to place order again for shadu idols, and sell only those. And as shadu idols were limited, their orders are full now. This year there is no choice for choosing the idol and those who wanted bigger idols had to be satisfied with whatever was available, even of smaller size. “Previously people asked for 3-6 ft or even 9 ft Ganesh idols but for the past 5-6 years people are demanding 1-2 ft idols,” shared clay artisan Damodar Narvekar who along with Ratnakar Lotlikar, Ulhas Naik, Damodar Priolkar, Premnath Natekar and Rajendra Borkar are known for their art in and around Margao.

Season for businesses to flourish

Chaturthi brings in business for several local vendors those who sell matoli ingredients, flowers, fruits, vegetables, makhar decorations, lighting, decorative items, sweets, snacks, fire crackers, jewellery, electrical and electronic items, musical instruments like ghumot, tabla or harmonium etc. Pujaris, Purohits, Tailors, caterers, art decorators, sound and light technicians, banner printers, sweet makers, women self-help groups, painters, event organisers, beauty parlours, stage artists, musicians, singers also get work. Caterers get orders for special ‘vaje’ to be given to married daughters.

The Sarvajanik Ganeshotsava Mandals also earn during the festival by announcing lotteries, draws and coupons. Those who give various things on rent also do good business. The fire cracker business surges on the Anant Chaturdashi or the last day of the festival when the idol is submerged (Visarjan) in water bodies with much pomp and show. As Indian festivals are all about wearing traditional attires, Chaturthi sales are announced in readymade garment shops, and pop up bazaars also make money. Showrooms selling electronic items also come up with schemes, and offers to attract footfalls of consumers who are already in festive shopping mood. After visarjan in the water, the Lord of Wisdom is bid farewell inviting him to come early next year!