Few takers for clay idols of deities

WHILE big traders are fetching huge profits by selling idols of deities made up of metals and the plaster of Paris, poor artisans making these idols with clay are on the verge of starvation.

WHILE big traders are fetching huge profits by selling idols of deities made up of metals and the plaster of Paris, poor artisans making these idols with clay are on the verge of starvation.

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It has been a tradition to worship idols made of clay on the auspicious occasions like Deepawali, Durga Pooja and several such other festivals. Rural and urban artisans make attractive idols of deities to attract customers. Ordinarily these idols are sold from Rs 5 to Rs 20 or more depending upon the size of the idol. While on the other hand a small idol of metal or plaster of Paris ranges between Rs 50 to Rs 300 depending upon the size and the finish of the idol.

Most of the people belonging to affluent classes prefer to buy sophisticated idols manufactured by the big companies. They even buy these idols to use them as gift items to their friends or relatives. These idols are also used as mementos presented to the dignitaries at any public function.

However, only a few people with deep religious sentiments go for the clay idols. According to them the clay idols rightly reflect the grace of the deity. A noted priest Keshvanand said that the real ‘pooja’ could only be offered through clay idols. The metal or plaster of Paris idols could be a good choice at public temples but at home clay idols were more meaningful. He said as per the divine laws, after performing pooja through an idol it must be immersed into the water of a holy river but in case of the costly metallic or ceramic idols the immersion was not possible.

The craze for metallic and ceramic idols has awfully affected the rural economy and the ways to self-employment seems to have closed for the poor artisans. An artisan Raghu said that till the third generation in his family the idol making business flourished but as the fourth generation grew the ancestral profession ceased to exist.

Neither there were buyers to pay handsomely for their creativity nor the young generation preferred to go ahead with the age-old business. Now all of the family members have diversified their profession and have moved out to cities in search of job.

Declining number of clay idol makers has given a boost to the ceramic and metallic idol making industries. The sale of these idols increases during the festival season while the clay idol makers face a tough time to arrange two square meals.