Eco-friendly idols find favour with denizens

Uppal: As Ganesh festival is right around the corner, we see a number of workshops who go for the modern way of making idols. A workshop working from last 20 years makes idols traditionally using mud, bamboo and grass.

The manufacturer of this type of idols, follow the traditional procedure of making idols from Kumartulli ghat in Kolkata which is famous for its traditional way of making idols for Durga puja.

The size of the idols starts from 3 feet to 15 feet and each idols price vary based on its size. However the starting price of the idols is Rs 10,000. It takes around 10 days for framing of idols and 2 to 3 days for the finishing of the idol. A minimum of 4 workers are required for preparing a single idol.

K Rukmini, owner of Kolkata Ganesh and Durga Matha Statues Manufacturers said, "Even if we have been working on this from past 20 years, there has been no GHMC support for the same. We would love to work for GHMC but since we are doing something that does not pollute the environment we at least expect a support where we are provided with a place to make these idols. We have to pay around 2 lakh per year as the rent of this place from the profit.

There is no recognition from HMDA and Pollution Control Board. There is only one manufacturer of traditional and eco-friendly idol manufacturer in Hyderabad.

These eco-friendly idols are made of mud which is bought from Kolkata. However it is difficult for the sculptors to frame the idol with mud. So basically these sculptors tie bamboos and cover these bamboos with grass. Later when the desired shape is formed, the mud is used to cover the entire idol. Once the entire idol is formed, the idol is then painted with water colors.

POP idols

Though civic bodies of the city have suggested using eco-friendly idols and have also held various awareness programs, the POP idols still has a huge demand on the festivals. The Plaster of Paris (POP) idols costs Rs 1000 per feet and the preparation of these idols begins from 4 months prior to the festival. These POP idols are available from 5 to 15 feet. For making one idol, one person is enough as POP can easily form the shape.

Rahul Jain is the first generation in the family from Rajasthan who is in the business of making idols. He said, "We prepare these idols as per the order and the demand of the idols. This year we have prepared around 1000 Ganesha idols. We have been in this business for making idols from past 5 years."

POP chemical mess

POP does not biodegrade well, and the synthetic colours used are toxic for aquatic flora and fauna. The large amount of polystyrene and plastic used for decoration of the idol leads to air pollution. Two years back, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself suggested that instead of POP idols, which after immersion cause damage to the aquatic life and environment, people should use eco-friendly idols made of clay. Excessive damage is caused to the environment due to immersion of idols made of POP and chemicals, he noted.