YOGESH NAGVEKAR
It’s time for Lord Ganesh to visit Goan homes. Most homes in Goa eagerly wait for this grand occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi when the God of Wisdom steps in and they get a chance to host him as a guest for a day-and-a-half or five, or seven, depending upon their family tradition. The clay idol brought home from the local Ganapati Chitrashala is then worshipped with full vigour and devotion after the pranpratisha ceremony and finally submerged in water to merge with the panchamahabhutas (the five elements) from where it comes.
Goans follow traditions with a religious mind and year after year, the clay idol of Ganesh is brought from the same ‘chitrashala’ and the same artist. The ritual continues for generations and it was this bond that helped flourish the idol making craft in the yesteryears.
It offered scope for the chitrashala for continuity of business every year. But sadly, the art of clay idol making is getting diminished day by day as PoP (Plaster of Paris) idols are available at a cheaper price in the market. There is need to create enthusiasm in youth to take up making clay idols as profession, though it is seasonal.
Thankfully, there are a few families who have retained their traditional vocation and are still into making clay idols in their chitrashalas. Tulshidas Naik, 77, is one of them. An ex-railway employee, he has been making clay Ganesh idols for the past 53 years. “It started as a passion, not profession,” admits Tulshidas who moulded his first idol when he was just eight. At 18, he took up this passion seriously and became a professional idol maker. His business grew steadily with orders from Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandals from in and around Margao.
Today, his son Pritam is taking the family’s art legacy ahead, and they cater to clients from Goa, Karwar and Mumbai. Tulshidas is happy with the Goa government schemes, but what upsets him is the invasion of traders from outside Goa. “They have created a monopoly here which affects local artists and our rich clay art. The government needs to take some strict steps in dealing this issue,” he maintains.
Another young engineer from Fatorda, Sahil Natekar, 25, has also taken interest in the family art. The Natekar Ganesh Chitra Shala has been around for 35 years, since it opened its first shop in Panaji. They do not rely on government financial support and are satisfied with whatever they earn. “In today’s competitive market, our clients are always satisfied with our art and services,” observes Sahil.
Damodar V Priolkar has been into sculpting business right from his childhood days. The Priolkars take pride in their century-old tradition of making clay Ganesh idols. “I want to follow this passionately and want my son, Sagar too to take the family art forward.” says Priolkar. Though Sagar works abroad, he helps his father whenever he is down in Goa. “Clay art brings a big opportunity to today’s youth, provided they maintain consistency and work hard,” claims Damodar.
It’s been 120 odd years since the Lotlikar family has been running Ganesh idol business.
Ratnakar Lotlikar has been passionately running this business that his great grandfather established. However, Lotlikar is worried that the art is dying and that more youth should embrace it wholeheartedly and turn it into a profitable business. There is scope for making money. That all is not lost yet, is proved by the fact that Ratnakar’s daughter, Vibha Nagzarkar, has voluntarily taken an initiative to give a new lease of life to her family chitrashala.
Damodar G Narvekar has been into chitrashala business for last 41 years. An extremely hardworking artist, Damodar has succeeded in whatever business ventures he undertook. “There is huge potential in this business for youth, provided they admit the seasonal nature of it. Despite tremendous competition in the cities, his credibility in market is such that the clients always prefer coming to him. “My son Omkar has plans to take it to the next level in the near future,” points out Damodar.
A simple and humble Datta Juvekar has been consistently making Ganesh idols in Betul for the past 60 years. His son Sachin who has been helping him for a couple of years, shares “The government offers incentives yet we require additional financial support as the job is demanding. Also, I stand for a ban on PoP idols as they create environmental hazards. Goa can follow Karnataka’s example which has made compulsory to make clay idols”, he says.
Narayan Bhise from Quepem is yet another passionate artist who has setup Ganesh idol shops in Quepem, Savordem and Margao.
“Our family has been into this business for over a century. We have been upgrading our skills (artistic and business). The members of our family are also involved in organising theatrical plays and other shows across Goa. The government must simplify and speed up the process of subsidy payments. Our youth should take up this business as a passion rather than viewing it as a competitive business.” Narayan is happy that his sons Dattadas and Pradosh are working on giving an altogether new dimension to clay art.
