The makers of Ganesha idols get candid about their craft

They may be poor, little known insignificant people, but they are proud and happy of being the God-makers. Around 25 people of five odd families have brought out an element of colour and attraction on the Mattuthavani Main Road. Any passerby cannot miss the huge Ganeshas lined up just a few yards away from the buzzing bus stand. There are also other smaller pockets across the city, where these idols are made.

Living in makeshift tents, these distinguished god-makers are predominantly a migrant community from Pali zilla in Rajasthan, famous for the POP (Plaster of Paris) work. Men, women and children engage in making Ganesha idols day and night. And it is not just the time, materials and hard work that go into making the idols but also a lot of skill and creativity.

“Making Ganesha idols is a tedious job. Fifteen of us work on one murti to complete it in five days. The basic frame and colouring takes four days and a full day is left for finishing touches and drying” says Gulabchand, a senior member of the clan. “Even children learn the work and we have been doing ‘visarjan murtis' (idols for immersion) for generations. We are also murtikars, but no one recognize us as craftsmen. The Government also doesn't give craft status to the work. But we take pride in the work we do.”

A dozen people with hands full of coconut fibre and POP work on Ganeshas-under-construction. A template mould is made with bamboo sticks and rubber sheets, upon which, the coconut fibre and POP are mixed and applied. “The fibre acts as the inner support and the POP gives the outer shape. Later when it dries, we remove it from the mould and rework designs on it” says Jamuna, “Hands, legs, head and the back are made separately and then fixed together to form the entire murti. All idols are hollow inside to reduce weight.”

When Nanak Ram came to Madurai two decades back Vinayaka Chaturthi was just a home affair and there was no concept of ‘Sarvajanik pandals' but this year, he has got 30 orders from the city and another 20 from the suburban areas.

“Even these days, most of our orders come from North Indians in the city. People from neighbouring districts also place orders” says Nanak Ram, “But, customers bargain hard and a good sale will fetch a profit of Rs.1000 per idol. Otherwise, we even sell it for a profit of Rs.500 or 600.”

Once the Ganesha gets ready, enamel and waterproof paints are used to colour the idol. Golden dust is strewn to give shine. Ranging from 10 inches to seven feet, one can see the lord in various poses.

“We have model numbers. Every year we try bringing out new designs in the trunk, the way the lord sits, the bearings in his hands and the ‘mukut' or turban. We also spend two months in Rajasthan to pick up new trends” says, Gulabchand, “Previously, Ganesha idols used to have a laddoo in the right hand, but these days people place real laddoo, so we leave it bare.”

Showing a nine feet Raja Ganapati, he says, “This is the most ornate of all Ganeshas I made this year. The order is from Usilampatti and the deal is for Rs. 10,000 but the profit is only marginal as I have to also pay all the 15 people who worked on it.” The POP-made-Ganapatis are mainly used for the ‘Sarvajanik pandals' but at homes, some people also have resorted to eco-friendly ways. “Following traditional methods will make sure of an eco-friendly Chaturthi. The festival has become fashionable these days” opines Rathina, a homemaker. Likewise, few conscious citizens have gone back to the humble household Pillayar. You can make your own Ganesha with organic items like – ‘Manjal Pillayar (turmeric), ‘Saani Pillayar' (cow dung), ‘Arisi maavu Pillayar' (rice flour), ‘Santhana Pillayar' (sandalwood paste) and ‘kaliman Pillayar (clay).