As we get ready to welcome home the God who removes all obstacles this Ganesh Chaturthi, it is important to celebrate the festival keeping the environment in mind. It is our duty to spread the message of eco-consciousness and bring home clay Ganeshas that dissolve in water. Or better still handcraft your own Ganesha.
Head to Pottery Town in the city, or make your own cute li’l Ganesha by enrolling into one of the many clay modeling workshops at various learning schools in the city. You never know how handcrafting the Elephant God could be a stress buster.
The Merry Go Learn team will help you create your Ganesha clay idol at the Merry Go Learn in JP Nagar. Another one in the same area is the Tara Learning Centre. If you want to spread the environment friendly message to your kids then there’s a class for children at Lake Shore Homes, Sarjapur, exclusively for kids to make them understand the concept of recycling and eco-friendly environment.
One class that is quite popular is Art Studio in Indiranagar by Nivedita Gouda and Kydzadda in Banashankari. Deepti Mahesh, founder Kydzadda states that these unbaked clay Ganeshas do not pollute the ecological system.
“It’s important to encourage children to taper their skills through natural and free play, while being conscious about the environment. For Ganesh Chaturthi, kids are attending Ganesha making workshops that also helps them understand the importance of being environment-friendly by making eco-friendly idols,” shares Deepti.
Those who have attended these workshops swear by them and state that they can be gratifying and therapeutic. It’s not just the bonding you have with your own creation, but also helps in the festive vibe. Nichitha Yanamandala who attended one of these workshops states, “After being part of the eco-friendly workshop, I felt connected to nature and hope to see more such Ganeshas in our city.”
RJ Sriram Sullia agrees with the idea of eco-friendly Ganeshas. Talking of his experience in Pottery Town, he states, “It’s nice to see that people are more aware this year. Clay Ganeshas that dissolve easily seem to be the preferred choice, and it’s nice to see creative liberties on the idols-six pack Ganesha, Ganesha riding on a bike, Mango Ganapathi and more.”
There’s always something fascinating about a modish creation. And when it’s something as revered as making your own Ganesha, the joy of getting your hands dirty simply doubles up. Agrees Bengaluru based RJ Divya Sharda who feels everyone must do their bit to minimise the hazardous effects.
“Ganesh Chaturthi is very close to me and once on a walk, I saw half-formed idols of Ganesha and it broke my heart. Changing the material with which the idol is made is such a small change that everyone can do,” states Divya. Ganapathi Bappa Morya!
How to make your own eco-friendly Ganesha
Take a clay ball and roll it round and then into an oval, followed by two more elongated sausage-sized clay rolls, which will form the legs of the Ganesha.
Carve the hands out of clay and place a tiny ball of a clay modak on one to accentuate the look. Carve the head with the help of an instructor and place it over the round body that you have created with caution. Keep a bowl of water next to you to keep the hands moist at all times.
Roll the trunk and fix it turning towards left and then flatten a round clay ball cutting it into half for the two large ears.
Use a sharp piece of wood to add special effects and necessary curves to this well-rounded creation, finishing off with the eyes.
Do not smear them with paint as they can be immersed into a bucket of water which can be used to water the plants.
