Telangana Hyderabad - PoP idols flood markets as city faces crunch of green Ganeshas

SIBY JEYYA
The State government's authorisation of the manufacture of Plaster of paris (PoP) Ganesh idols has resulted in an increase in their availability due to the market's dearth of eco-friendly Ganesh idols. As a result, PoP idols are readily available in all of the city's marketplaces. In addition, this year has seen a significant increase in the cost of Ganesh idols, with prices rising by 25 to 30 percent and twice those seen in the previous year.
Clay idol manufacturers said that this holiday season has been particularly difficult because to the monsoon rains. In July, as artisans began their first round of idol-making, the city was pummelling by severe rain. Furthermore, the situation was made worse when torrential rains resumed in the first week of September, just as artists were putting the finishing touches on their works.


"Most of their clay idols haven't dried for them to take up colouring or add any embellishments due to extreme weather, so many clay artisans have switched to PoP," said Manoj Kumar, an idol builder from Dhoolpet. Prices have risen as a result of the market's dearth of clay idols. For instance, the cost of a 1-foot Ganesh statue was Rs 1500 last year and is now between Rs 2000 and Rs 2500. Even the price of large idols has increased; this year, a 5-foot idol costs roughly Rs 10,000, up to Rs 6000 last year, while a 14- to 18-foot idol costs Rs 90,000 to Rs 1 lakh, and a 4-inch idol also costs Rs 2000.


"Despite the State government's approval for creating PoP Ganesh idols this year, many idol vendors chose to transfer the idols from other States rather than making them locally, which has caused great anxiety among the clay artisans. This year, compared to previous, I've gotten relatively few orders, and the recent rains prevented me from producing more clay idols. Clay idols are more affordable than PoP idols; prices start at Rs 50. I don't see the reasoning of the government endorsing PoP whilst pushing eco-friendly idols. claimed K Nagesh, a producer of green Ganesh idols in Chaderghat.




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