Kalyan artisans craft idols with a difference

Kalyan might not have big and famous Ganesh mandals, but its artisans have crafted several unique and socially relevant Ganesh idols this year– ranging from an idol composed of small Ganpati figures to one inspired by Buddhist mythology.

Kalyan might not have big and famous Ganesh mandals, but its artisans have crafted several unique and socially relevant Ganesh idols this year– ranging from an idol composed of small Ganpati figures to one inspired by Buddhist mythology.

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For instance, Naresh Kumbhar, a Kalyan-based artisan, has crafted two idols; one in which the God is depicted as Shegoan’s Gajanan Maharaj and one inspired by Japanese and Chinese Buddhist arts, where the idol is shown with a prominent Buddhist idol.

Artisan Naresh Kumbhar said, "We belong to the traditional Kumbhar community (the community used to make earthen pots). Nowadays very few mandals come up with innovative ideas."

Samir Yelekar, another artisan, said: "This year I have made around 10 to 12 idols, some inspired by mythology, and some purely the result of artistic vision. One idol I made on the request of the Ganesh Mandal from Bhayander. It is composed of 151 small Ganesh figures. Every part of the idol, including the god's ornaments, is made up of Ganesh."

Ritesh Ghone, another artisan, used American diamond, a form of decoration, to add a sheen to the Ganpati idol he was crafting.

In Kalyan, the celebration of the Sarvajanik Ganeshostav was started by Lokmanya Tilak, and has for long attracted crowds from across the city.