Pune: Cartoon characters adorn forts this festive season

PUNE: Popular cartoon characters like Chota Bheem, Motu Patlu and Kalia are competing with usual replicas of

Shivaji

Maharaj and his soldiers, to adorn the killas, or fort replicas, made by children during Diwali.

Traditionally decorated using small idols of Shivaji Maharaj and his soldiers, the forts will now be home to a few cartoon characters too. Small Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols of Chota Bheem, Motu Patlu, Kalia and other popular cartoon characters are seeing quite a demand this year.


“We had made about 600 idols of these cartoon characters for sale at Kumbharwada near Dengale Bridge and, within the first week, we have sold every piece. Children come with their parents to buy the idols to decorate their forts and the first choice is the cartoon idol as they can relate with the characters,” shared Swapnil Jamdar.

Another vendor at Kumbharwada, Yasim Memon said that the idols that mainly comprise sword-yielding soldiers painted in various colours are no longer enough to adorn the forts. “Apart from cartoon characters, there are idols of soldiers in khaki uniform with guns and those of people employed in different trades. There are miniature wells, grinding machines with women, and much more,” he explained.

At the same time, both Jamdar and Memon pointed out that the demand for ready-made forts has dropped significantly this year.

“People are now going back to using bricks and mud to make the forts rather than getting a ready-made one. This also helps them spend time with their children,” said Jamdar.

Memon added, “We do have ready-made forts, sizes ranging from 1 foot to 15 feet, which are replicas of Raigad, Surya Fort, and others. Though these are selling, the demand for them has certainly dropped.”