Since its very inception, Ganesh Chaturthi has been one of the most beloved festivals in Gujarat.
The amalgamation of lights, music, emotions, devotion and a sense of dedication that all of them carry inside their hearts during the 10 days of the festival. Having an idol of your own, is a matter that the devotees take great pride in.
So we went around the city, looking for the makers of these idols.
Anil Pachchigar is one of the oldest idol makers in Bhagal. His son proudly puts forth the fact that his dad has been doing it for more than 30 years. He’s giving us this information while himself putting up the finishing touches on one of the idols which is ready to be rolled out. The art is surely being passed on.
At Lal Darwaja, amongst the various make shifts display tents cum workshops, we met Ranchod Ranghunath. He has been making idols for the festival since 30 years, which is like ever since the festival was declared by Lokmanya Tilak, back in 1983. He learned the skills of the trade from his elder brother.
While his sons and his brother’s sons show very less interest in the profession, he says with a smile on his face that this is the only thing he has ever known, and he likes it.
This is the 4th year in a row for which Subhol Pal and his three brothers have migrated into Surat. Each year, they come down to Surat about 3 months before the festival, and set up their small workshop in Mancherwad.
He and his four brothers constitute the fourth generation of idol makers in the family. Unlike the local idol makers, they have a very heavy Bengali influence in their idols.
When asked what do they do back home, he proudly asks us to visit ‘Shilpi Bharat’ his workshop in Calcutta.
P.S. Do let us know how did you like these creators of the lord . 😀
Picture courtesy : Dhwanil Mukhtyar.