Think Ganesha, think Green, says eco group

Think Ganesha, think Green, says eco group
By: Preethi Ravi

To stage street play from city to Mysuru highlighting need for eco-friendly idols

A group of people are all set to travel from Bengaluru to Mysuru, not for fun but to promote use of eco-friendly Ganesha idols. Although Ganesh Chaturthi is weeks away, the group from Green Stage will present a street play titled “Matadthan Nodi Nam Ganesha” to spread awareness among people to use eco-friendly Ganesha idols. On August 22 (Saturday), the group consisting of eight people will travel from Bengaluru to Mysuru via Kengeri, Bidadi, Ramanagara, Channapatna, Shivapura, Maddur, Mandya, Srirangapatna and Mysuru.

“The play aims to encourage people to use eco-friendly Ganeshas and say no to Plaster of Paris and colourful Ganeshas as they are harmful to the environment. This year, the city has seen its lakes such as Bellandur and Varthur frothing due to detergents and other harmful chemicals. The damage has been irreparable and people have faced the consequences of their acts. This year, it is far more alarming than all other years put together.

If we pollute our lakes, we might have to face dire consequences which might leave us with no clean water to drink, and no water bodies for the city,” says a member of the group.

According to the director of the play, Vijay A, although 30 per cent of Bengalureans are aware of the environmental hazards of Ganesh Chaturthi, more awareness needs to be created to keep the city clean and healthy. The group will start their journey from Bengaluru at 7 am from Lal Bagh and end at Mysuru. The group also aims at creating awareness among rural and semi-urban people as they lack the knowledge and understanding about the effects of Plaster of Paris Ganesha idols. “Around 30 per cent of Bengaluru is aware of the ill-effects of Plaster of Paris idols, but people in the outer limits of the city are unaware of its dangers. There is still a huge craze in rural and semi-rural areas for celebrating Ganesh Chatruthi in all its grandeur. However, we want to convey through our play that celebration can still happen with eco-friendly idols and colours.”

The street play is 15 to 20 minutes long where the scene starts out with a group of friends trying to arrange for the festival celebration on their street. These friends collect funds from people of that street, make all the arrangements and buy a huge Ganesha idol with flashy colours for the celebrations. On the 10th day when the friends decide to immerse the idol, Ganesha interrupts the celebration, irritated at the prospect of being immersed. One of the friends asks Ganesha why he does not wish to be immersed. In reply, Ganesha says his wishes will not be granted if he puts artificial colours on the idol. The deity further goes to tell the actor that his desires will be fulfilled only if eco-friendly colours are used. The point being illustrated is that only the use of natural products will preserve the sanctity of our environment.

Team Green Stage has staged more than 300 street shows in different localities of Bengaluru over the past seven years, especially on social issues such as child sexual abuse, women’s safety, parental care and so on. “Matadthan Nodi Nam Ganesha” is their first project to create awareness about the use of eco-friendly Ganesha idols.

The group comprises working professionals and can be contacted on 9886563241.
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