As the Ganesh Chaturthi is going to be celebrated on September 17, idol makers of Kumbharsahi are working overtime to meet the deadline for delivery of their products.
Not only are the male members, but also the females of the artisan families of Kumbharsahi are engaged in the idol making work. Besides, they are also gearing up for the festival season of the year which starts with the Ganesh Puja. Though these artisans have rolled out thousands of idols in their life time, the deities seem not to be showering their blessing on them by enhancing their financial status. They continue to be as poor as they used to be. Still, they have not given up hope.
According to 35-year-old artisan Jagannath Behera, who learnt the old art from his father, last year he had earned Rs25,000 by selling Ganesh idols and this time, he expects to earn more.
He has also taken orders of making idols of Ganesh from at least six clubs in the township area and therefore, hopes to make good earning from these big idols. Many artisans complained that the middlemen were exploiting them as they manage to have a lion’s share of the profit. Sriram Behera said his main source of collecting bread and butter comes from idol making during the festival season. He admitted that festive season brings opportunity for him to make a fortune.
After the festive season, the artisans generally do not get any work and most of the artisans depend on leading their family by doing daily wage works. As a result, the families lead their life with miseries.
The cost of materials has also shot up drastically in the recent years. The artisans are often forced to bear loss as they sell the idols in cheap rates, said Kalandi Behera, another artisan.
“Neither district administration nor State Govt has done a little for our survival. There is virtually no promotion,” rued the artisans of Kumbharsahi.