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Canacona's Ganesha idols: Artisans race against time
6 Sep
Summary
- Over 40 workshops in Canacona are busy creating Ganesha idols.
- Artisans are prioritizing clay idols over environmentally harmful POP.
- Local skilled artisans ensure strong demand for handmade Ganesha idols.
As Ganesh Chaturthi approaches on September 14, artisans in Canacona taluka are working intensely in their over 40 chitrashalas (workshops) to fulfill a high demand for Ganesha idols. This surge in production is driven by the availability of quality local raw materials and skilled craftspeople in the region.
The idol-making process begins in early June, with workshops scattered across areas like Mashem, Poinguinim, and Loliem. These workshops not only generate profit but also serve as crucial preservers of sculpting traditions for the future, with many artisans passing the skill to their children.
Artisans are actively promoting the use of clay idols, highlighting their environmental benefits over Plaster of Paris (PoP) alternatives, which are sometimes brought in from Maharashtra. Despite challenges like labor costs, the trade provides significant seasonal employment to hundreds of local workers.
