Coimbatore: In Coimbatore district alone, there are more than 2,000 workers directly and indirectly dependent on Ganesh idol making.
Coimbatore: In Coimbatore district alone, there are more than 2,000 workers directly and indirectly dependent on Ganesh idol making.
The Tamil Nadu government has announced that installation of statues in public places will not be allowed for Ganesh Chaturthi due to the lockdown. Therefore, the sale of Ganesh idols above five feet will not take place. Because of this, the workers who make Ganesh idols are facing the grim scenario of heavy losses. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi festival falls on August 22. One week before Ganesha Chaturthi, it is customary for Hindu organizations and the general public to place Ganesha idols, ranging from 5 feet to 25 feet, in public places.
To this end, pottery workers receive orders right from March to make Ganesha idols in various forms such as Bahubali, Little Krishna, and Spiderman. Workers said, "If there is no sale this year, there will be no money to even make the statues next year. The Tamil Nadu government should take a good decision or else Coimbatore potters will suffer".
Last year alone, 1 lakh small Ganesha statues ranging in size from 2 feet to 4 feet and more than 25,000 large idols ranging in size from 5 feet to 25 feet were sold, the workers said. They fear that their livelihood will be completely affected this year around.
Saravanakumar, a craftsman who makes Ganesh statues in Coimbatore, said, "Ganesh statues in Coimbatore sell for Rs 25 to Rs 25,000. Last year alone, statues made by our company and other known companies were sold for around Rs.50 lakhs. In particular, 1 lakh small Ganesha idols were sold. Large Ganesh statues are not on sale this year.
He lamented, "However, Ganesh idols are allowed in houses, but it is difficult for the public to come and buy from where they are made. Therefore, the district administration should allow the sale of Ganesha idols on the roadside or elsewhere. We have borrowed from banks and other sources to make the statues. Currently, this year's statue sales will be severely affected due to the unusual environment prevailing across the country. Therefore, loans should be waived considering the livelihood of artists like us. At least, the interest should be discounted."
He added, "If the Tamil Nadu government allows idols in public places, the large idols made last year can be sold. More than 300 workers are losing their jobs and livelihoods because of the ban."
Sakthivel, another artisan, said, "We are facing a life or death struggle. We will lose business worth two years if statues we cannot sell the idols to be placed in public places this year. We make statues every year from January to December. If there is no sale this year there will be no money to even make the statues next year. Also, protecting the idols made during the rainy season is not so easy. The Tamil Nadu government must take a good decision and save us".
The Tamil Nadu government has announced that installation of statues in public places will not be allowed for Ganesh Chaturthi due to the lockdown. Therefore, the sale of Ganesh idols above five feet will not take place. Because of this, the workers who make Ganesh idols are facing the grim scenario of heavy losses. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi festival falls on August 22. One week before Ganesha Chaturthi, it is customary for Hindu organizations and the general public to place Ganesha idols, ranging from 5 feet to 25 feet, in public places.
To this end, pottery workers receive orders right from March to make Ganesha idols in various forms such as Bahubali, Little Krishna, and Spiderman. Workers said, "If there is no sale this year, there will be no money to even make the statues next year. The Tamil Nadu government should take a good decision or else Coimbatore potters will suffer".
Last year alone, 1 lakh small Ganesha statues ranging in size from 2 feet to 4 feet and more than 25,000 large idols ranging in size from 5 feet to 25 feet were sold, the workers said. They fear that their livelihood will be completely affected this year around.
Saravanakumar, a craftsman who makes Ganesh statues in Coimbatore, said, "Ganesh statues in Coimbatore sell for Rs 25 to Rs 25,000. Last year alone, statues made by our company and other known companies were sold for around Rs.50 lakhs. In particular, 1 lakh small Ganesha idols were sold. Large Ganesh statues are not on sale this year.
He lamented, "However, Ganesh idols are allowed in houses, but it is difficult for the public to come and buy from where they are made. Therefore, the district administration should allow the sale of Ganesha idols on the roadside or elsewhere. We have borrowed from banks and other sources to make the statues. Currently, this year's statue sales will be severely affected due to the unusual environment prevailing across the country. Therefore, loans should be waived considering the livelihood of artists like us. At least, the interest should be discounted."
He added, "If the Tamil Nadu government allows idols in public places, the large idols made last year can be sold. More than 300 workers are losing their jobs and livelihoods because of the ban."
Sakthivel, another artisan, said, "We are facing a life or death struggle. We will lose business worth two years if statues we cannot sell the idols to be placed in public places this year. We make statues every year from January to December. If there is no sale this year there will be no money to even make the statues next year. Also, protecting the idols made during the rainy season is not so easy. The Tamil Nadu government must take a good decision and save us".