If PoP allowed, can reduce height of idols: Moortikars

Mumbai: The present controversy over the immersion of Maghi Ganesh idols made of plaster of paris (PoP) is the authorities’ way of testing the waters ahead of the Bhadrapad Ganeshotsav that will be celebrated from Aug 27 through Sept 6, said civic officials on Monday. TOI spoke to the topmost moortikars of Mumbai who sculpt 15-25 ft tall PoP idols. While they are going ahead with preparations for the forthcoming season, some suggested the govt find ways to retain PoP, even if it means reducing the height of the idols, as it did during Covid.
Moortikar Reshma Khatu who runs the age-old Vijay Khatu Studio, said the future course will be determined by the manner in which the Maghi visarjan pans out Tuesday. “We are hoping for the best possible outcome. For us, a major part of Bhadrapad Ganeshotsav work starts from June,” she said. Khatu carves a handful of prominent PoP idols including Chinchpokli Cha Chintamani.
Prominent sculptor Krunal Patil said, “My bookings have begun for Bhadrapad Ganeshotsav. This controversy will no doubt impact the main festival but it will depend on how Tuesday’s visarjan unfolds. Govt had issued a ban on plastic but permitted bigger micron variants. Similarly, permit some variation of PoP idols.”
Siddhesh Dighole, one of the biggest and busiest idol makers of MMR, said, “I manufacture 125-130 moortis during Ganeshotsav, so it is not possible for me to slow down production. There are scores of artisans, workers and suppliers who are dependent on me. Moreover, if the mandals require idols from me during the festival, I will be unable to meet the deadline if I stall now.”
Another major new-age idol maker Arun Datte said, “Preparatory work has already begun not only in my Panvel and Parel workshops but also across workshops in Pen, Kolhapur, Satara, Nashik. Work goes on all year round. Big moortis are made on site, but the preparation involves summoning artisans, buying material and hiring workspaces.” Datte too cited the Covid example when the height of mandals’ PoP idols was reduced to 4 ft and 2 ft for households.
Veteran moortikar Rajan Zhad who carves eco-friendly idols said it would be apt for the govt to build multiple artificial tanks along the eastern flank of the city if immersion posed an environmental challenge.
Arun Datte said, “Ganeshotsav is a unifying event that rallies all Maharashtrians together. Give us an alternative material since we cannot make clay idols over 4 ft… You cannot just in one sweep say no PoP for Ganeshotsav. How will suppliers, workers, pay off loans? Who will give us jobs?”