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Shivamogga: The king of festivals!!! Ganapathi Festival during Shravana Maasa has been dull due to the blow of Corona. The same dark cloud has already covered.
An exciting environment was there in Malnad particularly in Shivamogga and Bhadravathi. Taking of orders and starting to make earthen Ganapathi months earlier is routine. 14 days remain for Bhadrapada Chowthi and the possibility of having festive mood is comparatively less than the earlier festivals. Leading the life on making earthen items throughout the year, the potter artists find making of Ganapathi idols is of much importance. They could earn some money during this festive season as they are finding it difficult to sell other earthen items due to short of demands. They were prey for natural calamity of flood last year but this year they have suffered due to Corona.
What about the prevailing condition in Shivamogga?
Speaking to Kalpa News, Artist Panchakshari of BB Street has said that he used to make approximately 400 small idols every year which would have been Worshiped in the houses, he has made only 200 idols this time in the backlog of low demand, on the other hand the prices of paints and clay and other raw materials are increased. It is a big blow not only for him but for the whole community, he expresses his feeling.
Artist Manoj of Kumbaragundi says that everything went to dogs last year on account of flood, but this year they are in trouble due Corona. Orders would have been received two months earlier for big idols, now the orders placed this year have been withdrawn. We find it difficult to make both ends meet and leading a normal life has become difficult, he says.
What about the situation in Bhadravathi?
Artist Basavaraj of Uppar Keri, speaking to Media, he has informed that the orders are less when it is compared with the previous years, the cost of clay and paints have been increased, for which if we increase the price of idols, the members of the public do not buy, we have been put to loss and the situation has prevailed to sell them at loss. The price fixed for is comparatively lower than the price fixed in Shivamogga. Corona is an added salt to injury for us who lead our lives believing in our family profession.
Idol Artist Basavaraj with ITI education, professional artist Ranjith has told that, 25 to 30 orders would have come for Ganapathi Idols of 7 to 8 ft. every year in general, but only orders for 5 statues are being received this year. Price was hiked last year due to GST and is hiked due to Corona, it has become inevitable sell them at the former price. A sort fear has been developed in us whether small idols would be sold or not. He expresses his grief that the Government has also not come forward to them out.
How much the price is increased?
The cost of the clay, paints and the raw materials are increased by 20 percent to 23 percent when it is compared with last year. The cost of the clay has been doubled. The potters, anyhow by paying higher cost, have kept the idols ready for sale…but whether all the idols that they have made would be sold or not is their doubt.
These artists would be benefited more with profit from the sale of big sized Ganapathi statues which were installed on roads every year. There is no much profit from sale of small idols..It is a bolt from the blue for potters as there is no provision to install Ganapathi statues in the public places.
Help from the side of Administration is needed
The Government had supported the public who were from different spectrum of the society with financial assistance when the several segments of society were in distress due to Corona. Those who are depending upon the profession of pottering and that too a small amount of money is being earned by making idols of Ganapathi and leading the life of artist is in distress due to Corona. Hence, they are in need of financial help. Therefore, The State Government, The District Administration, District-in-Charge Minister, MLAs and administrative segment have to fill in the air confidence in them for their survival by providing them with financial assistance.
(English Version: S A Muralidhar)
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