Their divine art pours ‘devatva' in the lifeless earthen forms of Lord Ganesh transforming them into live deities whom the devotees can worship with love. And with Ganesh Chaturthi fast approaching, clay artisans - Rajendra aka Nana Narvekar and his son Divyang Narvekar are busy putting their final strokes on their idols
The father-son duo make handcrafted idols at Shetyewada in Khorlim-Mapusa where their regular clients come year after year to pick up their idols a day before the installation of Ganesh. "This year we have crafted 75 Ganesh moortis, 50 for our regular clients and 25 for other customers," states Nana, 58, who has been crafting clay Ganesh moortis for the past 30 years.
The duo make idols in 3 sizes. The charges begin at Rs 800 for the smallest which is a foot tall. The Narvekars quote Rs 2000 for two feet idol and Rs 2500 for the two-and-a-half feet one. "The biggest idol I ever sculpted was of 6 feet, for a Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandal from Borim-Shiroda," recalls Nana who humbly admits that he learnt the nuances of this art from a relative, Pandhari Narvekar at Verem.
It takes three days to handcraft an idol for Nana. While he once hired a place at Mapusa market for Rs 7000 for a fortnight, Nana now prefers to sell from home. "I had to sit there all day long and that affected my ongoing work, so now I sell from home," shares Nana.
The Narvekars buy their special clay from Madel in Thivi. This year they have purchased 100 bags as there was some leftover clay from last year's stock too.
Like all other clay artisans, they too complain that the price of colours has doubled this year. The same amount of colour cost him Rs 5000 last year but this year it cost them Rs 10,000. "The subsidy that Goa government gives of Rs 100 per moorti is insufficient," he claims, adding, "The artisans should be paid more so that they are not demoralised. This divine clay art must not die."
There's no profit making in this vocation yet it is dedication and commitment that compels the Narvekars to push their limits. The availability of plaster of Paris idols, lighter in weight compared to their clay counterparts, has affected the continuity of the handcrafted clay art in the recent years. But that does not deter junior Narvekar from wooing clay art.
"I love the art and wish to continue handcrafting clay idols like my father," vouches Divyang who is keen in learning the art in a more professional manner through a course in Fine Arts. Currently a FYBA student at St Xavier's College, Divyang awaits his admission in the lone fine art college in Goa. "I did not make it to the Goa College of Fine Arts this year, so instead of wasting a year, I have enrolled for BA. I shall try again next year and if I succeed, I will graduate in ‘fine art' instead of ‘arts'," smiles Divyang, 20.
His 18-year-old younger brother is also interested in clay art. At present however he is learning Sanskrit at Kundai Math. Divyang however, began helping his father when he was a teenager. "I began with painting the larger parts of the idols when I was a kid, but for the past five years I have been crafting Ganesh moortis," states Divyang.
