Mumbai’s Ganpati Bappa will now be Canadacha Raja

Called “Canadacha Raja”, the idol is being sent to an event agency named Blue Peacock Entertainment, the organisers of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav in Toronto. They plan to celebrate the festival this year on a huge scale with the help of city officials.

Mumbai: The love for Ganpati Bappa knows no boundaries. For the first time, a 16 feet idol has been shipped from Mumbai to Toronto in Canada for Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav celebrations planned there.

The 16-foot tall idol of Lord Ganesha, made by Kalasagar Arts and helmed by Murtikar Nikhil Rajan Khatu, will be shipped to Toronto and be fondly known as Canada Cha Raja during the Ganesh festival. (Bhushan Koyande/HT PHOTO)

Called “Canadacha Raja”, the idol is being sent to an event agency named Blue Peacock Entertainment, the organisers of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav in Toronto. They plan to celebrate the festival this year on a huge scale with the help of city officials.

Nestled in Lalbaug, opposite One Avighna Park, is Kalasagar Arts, helmed by Nikhil Khatu, 27, who has become the first-ever sculptor to ship a Ganesh idol to Toronto.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Khatu said, “We packed the Ganesha idol at 11pm last night and it was loaded by 6am today. We shipped it through a flat track container to Canada.”

Kalasagar Arts is known for making prominent Sarvajanik Ganpati idols such as Andhericha Raja and Fortcha Raja.

Khatu said that usually idols up to four-feet or six-feet high were shipped abroad but this is the first time such a tall idol is being sent overseas.

“They will immerse the idol in an artificial pond and not a natural water body. They are creating a huge 20×20ft artifical pond and will mix water with sodium bicarbonate to dissolve the plaster of paris (POP) idol. The theme is of a Raja (king) pose with a Raja baithak (sitting) for this idol similar to Lalbaugcha Raja,” said Khatu.

The cost involved, which is undisclosed, includes money for sculpting, logistics and packaging. The idol is being shipped by LP Industries.

“There are many Hindus in Canada where a few household murtis idols are brought but the celebration for the first time will be Sarvajanik and on such a grand scale,” said Khatu adding that he had received the order for the idol three weeks back.

Khatu makes around 75-100 sarvajanik idols for Mumbai and on an average, seven artists and labourers work on one idol.

Khatu is the main artist and he said that fabrication and packaging is the most difficult part of making the idol.

“For packaging, there are wooden planks on all six sides enclosing the idol and there are airbags in it to keep Bappa safe inside the wooden frame. It will take four to five weeks for the idol to reach the destination,” said Khatu.

Khatu is the third-generation sculptor in his family.

“The tradition was started by my grandfather and then my father Rajan Khatu, who passed away during the pandemic. I am carrying forth the family tradition,” said Khatu.

Khatu said the government should find a scientific alternative for POP idols if they want an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav. That way we too can make huge idols and carry forward the legacy that Mumbai has for Ganpati idols.

“We are open to any material other than POP which will enable us to make big idols. A proper alternative to make tall idols is always welcome and one should ensure another way for visarjan,” said Khatu.

“To be honest, there should be research and there is also science involved in providing alternatives. However, we at the ground level cannot do it as it will incur a lot of cost. So, the government should be proactive in finding an eco-friendly solution for tall idols,” said Khatu.

When Khatu is not carving out beautiful idols, he is a sports management professional and takes contracts for events such as the Indian Premier League, Pro Kabaddi, etc,.