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Summer is the best time to create an idol.
One craftsman mentioned that they used paper instead of clay because it was not feasible.
Craftsmen have been making idols of Lord Ganesh near Morram village on the national highway leading to V Kota in Palamaner town in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh for the past 30 years. This craft is their main source of income. The family stayed at home for four months, and for the remaining eight months, they pitched tents in different locations and began making idols, continuing a long-standing tradition. The Ganesha idols made here are in high demand as they are made from environmentally friendly materials such as paper, pure flour, bamboo sticks, etc., making them both beautiful and environmentally friendly.
Subramanyam, the owner of the idol, mentioned to Local 18 that they used paper instead of clay as it was not feasible to make a large idol out of clay. Airapa, a resident of Morram village, chose to make idols to make a living and has been running his business in Madanapalai town. His business was booming, profitable and expanding significantly. To avoid the potential losses of hiring labor, his entire family was trained in idol making and they developed a passion for the craft, earning them a unique position in the field.
Initially, they used Plaster of Paris (POP) to make the idols of Ganesha. Although this method increased demand, the government eventually banned its use due to its impact on the environment, prompting artisans to discontinue its use. They explained that the use of clay limited the height of the idols, making them only a foot or two tall. Customers usually prefer taller idols. To meet this need without harming the environment, they began using materials such as paper, pure flour, and bamboo. They can make a variety of idols on request, which completely dissolve in water within half an hour without causing any harm to aquatic life and nature. That’s why they favor these materials.
Summer is the best time for making idols while the rainy season is not suitable as the idols need to be properly dried. It takes at least nine days to make an idol. They usually start the idol making process in January so that Ganesh Chaturthi is ready with the idol after eight months of hard work. As Local 18 mentioned, they have been making idols for 30 years.
