Mangaluru :
A family has been making artistic, traditional Ganesha idols for four generations and 87 years.
Prabhakar Rao (85) and 20 others come together every festival season to shape idols the time-honoured way. “Our patriarch, the late Mohan Rao, began the tradition in the days when idols were still made by hand and with clay. We still abide by his methods,” says Ramu, son of Prabhakar Rao.
The family makes not more than 200 idols in a season, and 16 of them are consecrated at public places such as Sanghaniketan, New Mangaluru Port Trust, Kudremukh Iron Ore Company, Karnataka Milk Federation, Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers, Police Lines, and the fisheries college.
In recent years, the family has been finding it difficult to source the raw material: clay and dried rice stalks. Prabhakar Rao has received many honours. The district administration has commended him on two occasions for promoting eco-friendly idols in a Plaster of Paris era.
“We never use lead-based colours. We use safe pigments and vegetable dyes. The tallest idol we make is 14 feet in height, and is worshipped at Sanghaniketan,” he says. Even at his advanced age, Rao scrupulously follows all traditions attached to sculpting. For example, the making begins only on a day with ‘Chitra Nakshatra,’ a star associated with Ganesha’s birth.
Quoting the Ganapati Sookta, a religious text, Rao says the deity clears obstacles in the devotees’ way. “Our family has followed sculpting tradition for 87 years. When I was an apprentice to my father, he taught me the standards. I am handing them over to the younger generations without any change,” he said.
Doc’s touch
The oldest member in the team is Prabhakar Rao at 85, and the youngest Ankush, all of nine years. The work force arrives at an ancestral house for the season. Dr Preetam Rao, a member of the family who works as a medical practitioner in London, has also arrived this time.
He is a trained hand at painting the idols.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by M Raghuram / July 31st, 2016