{
  "id": 8054702,
  "title": "Kerala's Kathakali Art Inspires Unique Ganesha Idol At Bandra Pandal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/keralas-kathakali-art-inspires-unique-ganesha-idol-at-bandra-pandal",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T15:38:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/keralas-kathakali-art-inspires-unique-ganesha-idol-at-bandra-pandal"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai witnessed an innovative Ganesha idol at a Bandra East home, combining Kerala's traditional Kathakali dance form with the iconic elephant-headed deity. Photographer and Ganesha idol workshop owner Deepak Babaria, who has been creating Ganesha idols for the past 17 years, came up with the unique concept after spotting a Kathakali image in a Ganesha immersion idol during an immersion ceremony last year. The idea was further developed by sketch artist Harish Shrestha and sculptor Prashant Bagdi, resulting in an idol depicting a Kathakali performer in full ritual costume holding a tiny Ganesha. The tableau, measuring around two feet tall with the Ganesha figure standing at only two inches tall, is made using eco-friendly, water-soluble materials to ensure minimal environmental impact during the five-day Ganesh festival, which will culminate on Friday with the idol being immersed in an artificial pond in the neighborhood.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: A Ganesha idol inspired by Kerala’s traditional Kathakali dance form at a Bandra East home has become a talking point among devotees and on social media, combining the elephant-headed deity with the elaborate costume and distinctive visual style of the classical dance-drama. Kathakali-inspired Ganesha idol Photographer and Ganesha idol workshop owner Deepak Babaria has been bringing…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}