Bengali sculptor carves 'eye-catchy' nylon Ganesh in Maharashtra

This year a Bengali sculptor in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, has created a unique sculptor of Ganesha to be installed in Madya Pradesh. He carved a 5-feet Ganesha idol from Bengali clay and nylon sago. Currently, this idol is the centre of attraction for the crowds turning up.

Jalgaon: Carving out new themes of the Ganesha idol on Ganesh Chaturthi every year is a major attraction in Maharashtra. The pomp and the grandeur come in with modaks, laddus, variety of sweets welcoming Lord Ganesha in pandals and in homes.

This year a Bengali sculptor in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, has created a unique sculptor of Ganesha to be installed in Madya Pradesh. He carved a 5-feet Ganesha idol from Bengali clay and nylon sago. Currently, this idol is the centre of attraction for the crowds turning up.

We have heard of Ganesha idols being made of coconut, newspaper, chocolate, gold and silver. But the concept of making Ganesh idols from sago is unique.

The Bengali sculptor Ramakrishna Pal aged 41 is a native of Kolkata, West Bengal and hails from sculptors family. He has been making various idols in Jalgaon for the past 15 years. Along with him, a team of 10 to 12 other craftsmen work for him.

Pal makes Ganesha idols based on different concepts for Ganeshotsav every year. This year, devotees of the Ganesh Mandal had requested him to make a Ganesha idol on a slightly different concept. "Pal has carved a niche for himself with this unique sculpture this year as well," says a customer who earlier purchased idols from him.

Earlier, he has made idols of Ganesha from tea leaves, peanuts, cashews, almonds, biscuits, coconut and various fruits. Last year, a Ganesh Mandal from Khetia in Madhya Pradesh had bought a coconut Ganesha idol from him.

According to Ramakrishna Pal, it took him around 20 days to make the Ganesha idol out of nylon sago. Talking to ETV Bharat, he said, "Soil and grass were specially brought from West Bengal for this idol. After making the idol from clay, nylon sago sticks on it. The idol required 50 kg of sago. The height of this idol is 5 feet and weighs around 5 quintals. "

When the idol came into shape, it was painted with the attractive shades of the Tricolour of the Indian flag. Beads and ornaments of various colours, shapes and sizes were used for decoration. The idol has become eye-catchy this year,"

The idol has been purchased by Ganesh Mandal at Khetia for Rs 15,000; Pal told ETV Bharat. "The corona had hit the sculptor’s business for the past two years, causing major economic problems. Corona has brought the businesses to a standstill. So the craftsmen are suffering and might lead to starving as well. This year, the sculptor's team have made only 30 idols, out of these only 15 idols were booked,"

Adding to our woes, raw materials have become expensive, while the customers are reluctant to buy handmade idols worried about corona spread. Recovering even the cost will be difficult if idols remain unsold," rues Ramakrishna Pal.