Ganesh Idol preparations take on a hectic pace with just two days to go before Chaturthi

As 83 year old Tulshidas Hari Naik puts finishing touches to his idols, veterans worry about the tradition's future

Published on:

04 Sep 2024, 2:29 pm

MARGAO/VASCO: The fine art of making Ganesh Idols in their brilliant hues and colours has taken on a hectic pace. Artistes all over Goa, including in Margao are putting the final touches to their masterpieces, with just two days to go before Ganesh Chaturthi which is celebrated in a mega way in Goa and Maharashtra.

Eighty three year old Tulshidas Hari Naik, a fine Ganesh idol maker narrates how he began with making seven Ganesh Idols way back in 1965. From seven the number grew to 25. Then from Fatorda he started selling the idols in Margao such that now he has his own art gallery ‘Sarvang Sundar’ in Fatorda, where many people throng to buy idols of the much loved elephant-headed God.

“People gave me lot of support and encouragement, that I make very nice idols. Because of this today I have my own chitrashala called Sarvang Sundar in Fatorda. At the age of 83, I don’t have that much stamina, but once I put my hand in the clay, I am driven by the spirit of the art. I get enthusiasm and something works which creates the idol, which I myself cannot understand,”

Tulsidas Hari Naik, Ganesh Idol Artiste

“I get the strength from Siddhivinayak and people say my idols are beautiful and because of this the demand for idols keeps on growing. I have ‘bhakti’ but ‘shakti’ is not enough. In the beginning we used to make idols of clay. Then in between we started plaster of paris idols, but now we have completely switched over to clay. We used to bring clay from Tivim, Bicholim, I have tried out clay from different places. Now we get the clay from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, through Mumbai. Now we put choir in this idols to make the idol light so that it is easier for people to carry and do the immersion. But most other artistes do not use choir,” Tulsidas explains.

Pritam Naik, son of Tulsidas says they prepare about 650 Ganesh idols. They sell 150 idols in Marcela alone. “We have a branch in Marcela. My dad gets a subsidy of about Rs 200 per idol for 250 idols. If we have a big chitrashala like ours, we do not benefit much. The clay itself is very costly. But less quantity idol makers benefit a lot.”

In Kolhapur and Mumbai, they have factories and workers are available throughout the year. In Goa, it is difficult to get artistes and workers to work on these idols, since they ask, how will we leave our present job and come here only for six months. We are worried whether this art will survive in the future generations,

Pritam Naik, Son of Tulsidas Naik

Meanwhile, Dabolim is preparing to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in a grand manner with the arrival of Dabolimcha Raja –a Ganesh idol which they ordered from Sawantwadi. This is the 13th year they are celebrating the Sarvajanik Ganesh. The lord was welcomed with great enthusiasm amidst the beats of dhol, tasha, and dindi. The Dabolimcha Raja Ganesh idol is one of the largest in Goa, where Chaturthi is celebrated on a grand scale.