Mangalore, August 27: As Lord Ganesha’s festival approaches, brisk preparations on this eve of are carried on. The Ganesha’s idol makers are too busy carrying their work these days. There are a lot of talented artists here. Since many years, Mr Prabhakar Rao near Mannagudde has engaged himself in this task.
As the name of Prabhakar Rao falls on our ears, the idol of Lord Ganesha comes to our mind for a moment. He is one among the Ganesha idol makers and an elderly resident of Mannagudde .He is well versed in preparing clay as well as Ganesha’s idols of various sizes. He works close to Mannagudde. Once he observes an object, he is very skill full in making the image by adding a toast of reality to it. Once he involves himself in preparing the idols, the statue would be appearing to be a realistic one. He is well versed in preparing the Clay idols of Lord Ganesha with most aesthetical looks.
With the encouragement and inspiration of all, first priority would be given to the preparation of clay idol of Lord Ganesha with a traditional gesture and later according to the customer’s choice. Caring towards the environment, while colouring the idols; instead of oil paint, water colour and other colours which does not affect the water is used. But the golden colour used for the idols is toxic. I do not like to use, it but it is needed says Mr Prabhakar Rao.
Like-wise since many years, Mr Yogish Mallya of Gollara Keri, owner of Car Street Arts Work-shop Mr Vinayak Bhat and others are also engaged in preparing the idols of Lord Ganesha in a variety of styles.
The preparation of image is very expensive these days. Excellent quality Clay is required. Most of the idol makers of the city rely on tile factory in Hejamadi for the clay. It takes about a week, to construct a five/ six feet tall idol. There is an increasing demand for the preparation of the statue every year and for the public Ganeshotsav, the Ganpathi idols will be available just in time that is a day before the Ganesh festival.
