more-in Ahead of the Vinayaka Chathurthi celebrations, traditional artisans in Puducherry have been working round the clock to cater to the demand of the citizens for eco-friendly idols for the festival. On Ambalathadayar Madam Street more than 50 artisans from villages near Villianur and Mangalam are busy giving finishing touches to clay idols lined up on both sides of the street to meet the heavy demand during the festival. Artisan Chandra from Madurantakam in Kancheepuram district has been travelling to Puducherry for the last 15 years during the festival. She said she started making idols around six months before the festival. But this year, things have been a little different. Stiff competition Stiff competition from moulded idols manufactured in bulk and procured from other cities and acute shortage of clay has dampened the spirit. “We are finding it difficult to procure clay to make idols. Earlier, we used to get clay from Madurantakam. However, this year, we have not been allowed to take clay from there,” she said. Chandra said that they were forced to buy clay from Mannadipet in Puducherry which cost them nearly ?5,000 for a lorry load. E. Balamurugan, another artisan, added that the cost of idols would also increase owing to the shortage. “We would be selling idols ranging from ?50 to ? 300,” he said. The number of people entering this business to cash in on the festive season has also increased. While the demand is high for clay idols, people also prefer moulded idols procured in bulk from other cities. The moulded idols are made from vegetable dye and organic colours. With commercial centres procuring such idols in bulk, traditional artisans have now started to feel the pinch, says Balamurugan. Meanwhile, the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee (PPCC) has issued guidelines that need to be followed before immersing the idols. A team from the PPCC will check on the artisans to see if the rules, regarding use of toxic paints and other materials, are being followed.

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