While the government organisations such as Pollution Control Board (PCB), NGOs and educational institutions have taken up campaigns to stress the need for using eco-friendly idols this Vinayaka Chavati, a potter’s family here had been propagating the use of clay Ganesha idols for the last five decades or so.
Elders in the family Koyaguri Ramalingam (80) and his wife Parvathamma had come up with the idea of making clay idols in early 1960s and sell them. The couple used to sell just about 200 idols then at 25 paise each. Now their daughter-in-law Andalu plans to make about 4,000 idols in next couple of days and sell at Rs. 10 to Rs. 50 each depending on their sizes. Interestingly, the Pollution Control Board has placed orders for 2,000 clay idols this year.
The 55-year-old woman said sale of clay idols was picking up gradually in view of the awareness programmes being taken up by various organisations.
The demand has gone up so much that she had to requisition the services of her two grandsons, who are pursuing professional education, to share her workload. The two youngsterssay they take pride in making idols.
Interestingly, Ramalingam and Parvathamma rented a house in Kachiguda in Hyderabad for a month to prepare and sell the clay idols during the season.
