Ganeshotsav-2022 : Talented sculptor who plays Ganaraya’s “Vishvachakshu”!

Mahaenews
A link to your homepage with your site title as anchor text

Mahaenews A link to your homepage with your site title as anchor text

An artist is not bound by age, gender, caste. Everyone who practices art is an artist. Sculpture is an important form of art. Idol art passed down from generation to generation is carried on by tradition. Now women have also become proficient in this idol art which was monopolized by men. Women have created a new history by educating the society by breaking the traditional framework. Then how can women be left behind in this idol art. Women who are firmly establishing their feet in all fields are also showing their skills in idol work. In our city of Pimpri Chinchwad, two women sculptors practice the art of drawing the eyes of Ganaraya and bringing the idol to life.

Amrita Ombale, writer, freelance journalist, Pune.

Ganaraya’s solemn form fills the mind at the very moment of seeing it.. Ganaraya’s ornaments, his lustful look, his crown showing his Torah, his passionate feelings towards devotees are seen in his idol. When we see the idol of Ganaraya, the first thing we notice is his eyes. His vision of the universe fills the mind at the very moment of seeing it. Those eyes that make you realize that there is life in that idol are the alchemy of that idol maker.

While creating any work of art, the artist has to be at one with that art. That’s when the art in his mind becomes tangible. When the artist has unity, the work of art is beautiful. It is said that when an artist is born, he comes to earth with something more from God. Every artist benefits from this divine grace. An idolater wants to create the image of God himself. Therefore, God is always with him.

The more vocal Nayan is, the more the idol feels like us. With this thought, the sculptor devotes his mind and body to drawing this Nayan. There are many male idolaters. But women sculptors and even women sculptors who draw Bappa’s eyes are as numerous as can be counted on the hands. Our city of Pimpri Chinchwad has some such talented sculptors. The fame of these female sculptors is even city-wide. Citizens insist that the idol of their father, especially the talking eyes, should be made by these female idol artists. Thanks to the positive experiences of many devotees, the fame of these women idol artists’ art has spread across the city.

A rubber mold is currently available while making idols. But it takes human hands to create eyes. There is no mold or machine for it. Therefore, making eyes is a more difficult task than making an idol. Be it happiness or sadness, apart from words, if human emotions can be expressed through any other organ, it is the eyes. Eyes speak like that. This rule is not only applicable to living things. Because it is the eyes that bring life to an idol or a picture. Making eyes is the work of a professional artist. It requires a great tool.

Sushma Kumbhar- (Sculptor – Age 32 years) –

Sushma Kumbhar, a resident of Thergaon, has been creating Ganaraya’s eyes for over 20 years. An innate love for painting since childhood and ancestral pottery made him especially drawn to this form of sculpture. She says, painting the eyes of Ganesha is a very responsible job.

Because every Ganesha idol is a sadhana for me. His eyes have to be painted according to the external appearance of the idol. Accordingly, the beauty and charm of the eyes of each idol is different. People should feel satisfied and calm by looking at the idol. While working, our emotions are embodied, so we always have to draw our eyes while being fresh. We have been regular customers for twenty five consecutive years. They come to us. Customers are so familiar with my art that the Ganesha eyes I draw can be recognized by them. No matter how much I decide not to draw eyes this year, there are occasions when I have to do it. So I have always felt that Ganesha actually does this work for me and stands by me in every task. Didn’t take any painting course till now but now doing diploma in painting. So I believe that I will definitely benefit from that study.

Shubhangi Kumbhar (sculptor – age 34 years)-

My mother is from Kolhapur. He has been doing idol work since there. After marriage came to Pimpri Chinchwad. Here too I draw the idol’s eyes to contribute to my mother-in-law’s idol work. I am happy to be able to preserve this art that I love dearly.

Making eyes is the tool-

Any art blossoms slowly. So is this art. In this, the eyes have to be created by combining the artist’s hand, control over it and the emotions in his mind. Although there is a curriculum for this, this art can be learned by learning. How does the interest and observation power of the artist himself come into play? So the more you work, the more this art will improve.

…what care these female sculptors take in creating the eyes

These sculptors say that when Ganeshotsav is near, we have to work day and night. But still the artist who plays the eyes needs to be happy and fresh. You cannot do this work by being bored, awake, half asleep. It usually takes half an hour to make the eyes of a big Ganesha. But three to five minutes are enough for small Ganpatis. So one has to do this work with full attention without bringing any other thoughts in the mind. You can understand how twisted the artist is only when he realizes his eyes.