Vinayaka Chaturti usually offers someone somewhere a chance to flaunt their creativity. At this time of the year, that usually manifests itself as a new avatar of Lord Ganesha. But mass produced Ganesha idols stick to ideas available in Indian mythology, to stay on the safe side of the popularity wave.
There is innovation, albeit muted, in the mass produced Ganesha idols. Most of these innovations involve changes in Ganapati’s vehicle. The scriptures mostly attribute him a mouse, and less commonly a lion, peacock, horse and a multi-headed serpent (sesha). But the artisans have taken their liberties.
There is one idol that shows Ganesha sitting on the back of a spotted-deer, and another on a tiger. There are even other that show him sitting on three or five animals at once.
Traditional experimentation apart, what about the more whacky ones? “Let me guess. This year, is there an Anna Hazare Ganesha?” asks Raji Ganesh, reflecting the expectation of Zeitgeist in the elephant-faced god.
But artisans who deal with the bulk of Ganesha idols coming into the city say it is up to individual artisans to come up with something. And what you might come across on your visit to your local pandal is as much your guess as ours.
Comments
0 comment