It may just be wet clay before it gets into the experthands that ensure its metamorphosis into an idol, but the end product is abeautiful representation of Lord Ganesh, the favourite deity in Goan homes. Ordersare already placed for the idol of choice with the traditional ‘murtikars’scattered in the remote pockets of the state.
This is the busiest trimester for artisans known forthe art of clay idol making. The Priolkar brothers, Suryakant, Damodar andSantosh carry forward the legacy of their father Vitthal Putu Priolkar, awell-known artisan of the yesteryears. “We start making Ganesh idols on theauspicious day of Vatpoornima in June every year,” says Santosh.
“This year we have over 900 orders, we have therefore crafted1000 idols at our workshop. Of which we have personally moulded 300, and the restare transported from Pen in Maharashtra,” shares Santosh. Priolkar’s idols are soughtafter even in the Middle-East, as one of their longstanding clients, RajaniKhot, orders hers from Kuwait which is then duly couriered to her doorstepcourtesy the Priolkars.
Vinay Reddi, a painter has been travelling from Mumbaito Goa for the last six years merely to paint these idols. “I have been in thisbusiness for 22 years and find no difference in the clientele here, except thatpeople in Goa insist on the use of eco-friendly colours,” he claims.
The Guravs are the oldest clay artisans in Goa, withAnand Sagun Naik Gurav from Priol representing the third generation of theGanesh idol makers. “My grandfather began the family profession, and my father wenton to mould idols for 50 years. I joined him when I was 16,” says Gurav who makestwo Sarvajanik Ganesh idols in Ponda annually, both of which are five feet inheight.
Artisans arepaid Rs 100 per idol by the government of Goa as subsidy. “I got Rs 15,000 lastyear in June 2011. This year the government has increased the margin to 250 rupeesper idol,” states Gurav.
The commercialisation of the idol making process has seenan increase in the demand for machine made idols, and it is thereforeheart-warming that government is trying to aid artists by providing them withsubsidies.
