Goan artists get creative with making their own Ganesha Idols

Sanket Mandrekar, 29, from Mandrem is all set to celebrate Chaturthi with his family. But over the last few years, instead of buying an idol from local artisans, he has been making an eco-friendly clay Ganesha on his own. From sourcing raw material to using various techniques, artists in Goa, like Sanket, are exploring various designs to make idols of bappa.


USE RICE AND SEEDS TO DECORATE THE IDOL

It’s been six years since Sanket Mandrekar, 29, from Mandrem began making his own idols. “I always wanted to make our own clay Ganesha. And despite the fact that it is very easy to find clay in Goa, in places like Mandrem, Pernem, I realized that many idol makers use (plaster of Paris) POP. This made my resolve stronger. I would never add colour to my idol, however, this idea did not get accepted well and people would criticize it; it was only later that people began appreciating my work. Now to add a touch of colour, I use natural materials like rice, dried peas ( vattane ), nachne and more,” says Sanket.

BEEN MAKING GANESHA IDOLS FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS

Dhulu K Pingale has been making Ganesha idols for the last six years without a form. “I love the feel of clay on my hands, and I make a small idol. It is difficult to find time: I work in Porvorim as a pottery artist and my ancestral house is in Mollem. So, I work on the idol only on the weekends. My freehand idols are only about 1.5 feet and eco-friendly, made from two types of clays – chikal and sado , which is easily found in Mollem. I do it all, from sifting of the clay to the final process, with the help of my six-year-old son Aditya, who looks forward to the work,” says Dhulu.

IT IS A FAMILY AFFAIR

Brothers, Dnyaneshwar and Vitthal Wadji from Morjim have been making their Ganesha idols for years. “Our father would sell idols, but we never got into the business. However, we continued to make the idol for us at home. We make a five feet Ganesha; my brother makes the clay structure, and since I have a very steady hand, I prefer to paint the idol. We also have a theme every year, which mostly revolves around mythology,” says Dnyaneshwar.

I LEARNT THE ART WHILE WATCHING MY NEIGHBOURS

It was not until COVID, that, Bhisaji Gadekar, 36, made his own Ganesha idol. “I knew that it would be best to make my own Ganesha idol during COVID, as we had so many restrictions on movement. I had never done one at home, but my neighbours would make idols on a large scale, and as kids we would always help them out. I learnt the art by watching them. I now make my idols using bare hands, and don’t adhere to a particular form, I go freestyle and use my imagination while making the three feet idol. Last year I made the entire idol including the fatho of clay, and I only use clay from my own village – Mandrem.” says Bhisaji.