Ganesh idol makers in Hubballi, Mysuru stare at a bleak future

MYSURU/HUBBALLI: Several festivals are lined up for the month of Shravana, including the Ganesh Chaturti. However, this year’s festival is going to lack lustre given that the pandemic is not going away.
With the summer, the season for idol making lost to the pandemic and the resultant lockdown, idol makers in the city are staring at a grim future.
With Ganesh Chaturti falling on August 21, idol makers are not yet ready for the festivities.According to them, the process starts in June with the collection of clay, but this year they are yet to take up any work fearing police action on large gatherings and large idols due to Covid-19.
“It is a tough period for us. Ganesha Chaturti and Dasara are the two occasions when the idols are in huge demand. Unfortunately this year, nothing is clear. So, no idol maker is taking the risk to start preparations,” said Basavappa, a idol maker from Ittiegudu. He has been making clay idols for the last 35 years.
“There was a huge demand for the clay idols due to the ban on the PoP idols last few years. However, the situation is different this year,” he added.
Ganeshaiah, another idol maker from Hosabandikeri said the economic crisis is a major cause of worry. “Small idols usually get us good business as all keep Ganesha idols at their homes. But, now with the financial crisis being faced by all, I highly doubt if there will be any demand at all. That’s why we have not yet started preparations,” he said.
“All of us are facing similar crisis. The only hope is Dasara,” he added.
‘Need clarity on public celebrations’
Ganesh idol makers in Hubballi and Belagavi have urged the government to come out with a clear decision on public celebration of the festival. Sanjay Killekar, an idol maker in Belagavi, said due to lack of clear guidelines, sarvajanik Ganesha mandals have not booked their idols yet.
“I am not sure if authorities will allow installation of large idols and pandals. I have taken a risk by preparing to make idols that are taller than six feet. If authorities do not permit them, I will face a loss,” he added.
Killekar, who is the working president of Belagavi Ganesha Idol makers association, said they met with representatives of Ganesh Utsav Mahamandal and ask them to take a decision on the size of the required idols within a week.
Chitragar Samaj president Raghavendra Murgod said the government should come out with detailed guidelines pertaining to the celebration of Ganesha festival.
When contacted, large and medium industries minister Jagadish Shettar said, “Currently we cannot say anything as Covid cases are increasing day by day. We are in such a situation for the first time. I will discuss the matter with officials soon.”