Clay or PoP? Bengaluru’s Ganesha idol makers, sellers face uneasy choice

As the State government, environmentalists and NGOs push for the sale of eco-friendly Ganesha idols during the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival, makers and sellers assert that customers still favor buying coloured idols for home celebrations and Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols for pandal decorations. The Hindu reporter visited several locales in Bengaluru, including Pottery Town, Mavalli, and Seshadripuram, where Ganesha idols have been crafted, displayed, and sold for over five decades.

Shashikumar, a fourth-generation artisan in the Kumbara community, explained his shift from creating Ganesha idols to purchasing them. He cited space restrictions, limited clay availability, and a scarcity of skilled labor as reasons for outsourcing production. Despite his awareness of the environmental harm caused by PoP idols, Shashikumar noted that many customers prefer purchasing them and the makers invest considerable resources into these creations.

Creating large idols from clay poses challenges due to their weight and structural difficulties, which makes PoP idols a more practical option. Shashikumar also highlighted the ease of making PoP idols, noting their quicker moulding, easier colour application, and faster drying times compared to clay idols, which require three months of preparation and painting.

On the other hand, Govardhan, another Kumbara community member, admitted that his shop primarily caters to customers buying coloured idols, accounting for only 200 traditional buyers of eco-friendly idols out of the numerous who opt for PoP or moulded idols. He acknowledged the logistical difficulty of sourcing clay, which is now scarce due to the dwindling number of lakes, forcing artisans to import it from distant regions at a steep cost.

While the majority of Ganesha idols now incorporate chemical-free water paints, concerns persist about potential residue left in water bodies. Nandeesh from Bettahalsuru, who exclusively produces eco-friendly idols, acknowledged that while these paints are less harmful than oil paint, they are not entirely devoid of chemicals. Consequently, he continues to manufacture small, plain clay idols, priced between ₹50 and ₹500, to mitigate environmental impact.

The Bengaluru Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment, Ramalinga Reddy, announced a Special Operation Team to curb the production and sale of harmful PoP idols, imposing penalties and confiscating 1,283 such idols in recent inspections across multiple districts. The team urged citizens to opt for eco-friendly idols to protect water bodies and preserve lakes.