The PoP Ganesha idols with a touch of sparkle in Hyderabad

Ganesha idol all set to go to a pandal
| Photograph Credit score: particular association

With two days to go for Vinayaka Chavithi, artisans at Uppal in Hyderabad are giving the ultimate touches to their PoP (Plaster of Paris) idols in makeshift tents. Regardless of the muddy and slushy roads brought on by the rains, the Ganesha promoting hubs are bustling with exercise.

Kotha Rani of Sri Sairam Kalakaar
| Photograph Credit score:
particular association

It’s time to sparkle at Sri Sairam Kalakaar, a Ganesha manufacturing centre that has been creating PoP idols for the previous 14 years. “A craze for Mumbai-style Ganesha idols has been in demand for 2 years in Hyderabad. However its demand has solely surged this yr,” says founder Kotha Rani. Whereas Hyderabad-style idols have conventional designs and vivid colors, Ganeshas draped in dhotis with a pattu kanduva/silk material or pagidis on prime and embellished with multi-coloured kundans (synthetic stones) and background frames deliver a Mumbai contact. Studded with glittering stones on the crown, neckpiece, arms, ankles, on the stomach, idols of 1 foot to 13 toes measurement seem majestic, with completely different themes.

Studded with multi-coloured stones
| Photograph Credit score:
particular association

The manufacturing unit additionally makes clay Ganeshas however Rani laments that children favor vibrant statues with shimmer, giving an vintage search for pandals. The unit is presently giving a little bit of a makeover to 2 containers with 1500 clay Ganeshas left unsold in in 2023.

Sans the bulging tummy

Idol to be adorned at Saraswathi Arts
| Photograph Credit score:
particular association

A couple of yards away at Saraswathi Arts, a match and chiselled Ganesha standing on one foot is within the highlight. Mumbai-based sculptor Shreyas Warankar sits on a excessive stool to color the eyes. With patches of various paints on his left hand, he’s unperturbed by the noise round him. Listening to music on earplugs, this artist is a graduate of JJ College of Arts, and follows the household custom of portray Ganeshas through the festive season. “I’ve been portray Bappa since my childhood,” he says.

 Artist Shreyas Warankar 
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular association

Shiny and vibrant Ganesha idols lined up in rows in several levels of completion vie with one another to catch the eyes of potential patrons. One hanging characteristic is the best way idols have been designed with out Ganesha’s ubiquitous tummy. “Our idols have been trending for the previous three years as a result of assorted designs and new ideas,” explains proprietor Kali Suman Kumar as he factors in the direction of Ganesha sitting like a maharaja with nails painted.

Suman Kumar 
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular association

The unit creates fundamental fashions that are later customised for patrons. Sravan explains, “We repair the idol with shelf brackets on a 5-inch iron pipe and different frames via welding; after which embellish it with jewelry and silk clothes.” Work at this unit began in January and the artisans have to this point accomplished 200 murtis of 4 toes to 24 toes tall. Ask him concerning the air pollution created by PoP idols and he quips, “The federal government has not banned PoP idols, so we proceed to make them.”

With a brand new look

Ganesha carrying a kurta, dhoti and pagidi on prime
| Photograph Credit score:
particular association

Recycling is the buzzword at Sheetal Singh’s centre in Dhoolpet. The 60-plus artisan who has been within the enterprise of creating Ganesha idols since an adolescent has made a brand new starting. Round 150 unsold PoP idols final yr are getting repainted and adorned with kundans and velvet and silk clothes. Sheetal Singh’s son Kishore Singh says, “After designing 100 new Ganeshas, we’re engaged on giving a brand new look to those leftover idols. The play of colors and shimmering stones on the idol’s brow, arms and neck create a glittering look.”