They craft the Ganesh idols strikingly and mesmerise everyone with their talent, but for the artisans who interminably work to innovate the festivities every year, life is an everyday challenge.
Rising prices of raw material, stiff competition and increased labour wages is robbing the hundred odd families who are into the profession of idol making for last four decades. “Till a few years ago we managed to make about 50 per cent profits over the investment, now it is not so. We feel satisfied if we get 10 to 15 per cent,” says Shankar Singh, an artisan from Shivlalnagar in Dhoolpet.
In the run up to the 11-day Ganesh festival many families staying in Mangalhat and Dhoolpet areas take up idol making. “We start the work four months ahead in the run up to the festival and make around 100 idols of six to eight feet. All the family members including women chip in for the job otherwise we cannot save much money,” says Ashish Singh adding, “ despite it we are not able to earn much”.
Most of the artisans borrow money from financers to procure material like bamboo, plaster of paris, paints, iron etc., at high interest rate. “There is no alternative for us but to approach private financers. Banks and financial institutions are unwilling to offer loans,” says another artisan.
Moreover, the influx of artisans from Central India has only added to their woes. A few hundred idol makers have set up temporary sheds at Miyapur, Hayathnagar and Attapur drawing huge crowds.
“Earlier people from surrounding districts and city outskirts used to visit the Dhoolpet for buying the idols. But now they are buying it at different locations robbing us of our business,” complains Surendar Singh, another artisan. Unmindful of the agony the artisans continue with the job for they believe that making idols is a matter of devotion.
