Mumbai’s Ganpati Bappa now Canadacha Raja
Mumbai’s Ganpati Bappa now Canadacha Raja
It’s an established fact that the love for Ganpati Bappa knows no boundaries.
For those unversed, for the very first time, a 16 feet idol is to be shipped from Mumbai to Toronto in Canada for the 11 day Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav celebrations planned there.
The 16-foot tall idol of Lord Ganesha, made by Kalasagar Arts and helmed by Murtikar Nikhil Rajan Khatu and called “Canadacha Raja”, is being sent to an event agency Blue Peacock Entertainment, the organisers of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav in Toronto. This year they plan to celebrate the festival on a huge scale with the help of city officials.
Nestled in Lalbaug, opposite One Avighna Park, is Kalasagar Arts, helmed by Nikhil Khatu, 27, who has emerged as the first-ever sculptor to ship a Ganesh idol to Toronto.
In an interaction with the media, Nikhil Khatu said, the Ganesha idol was packed at 11pm last night and was loaded by 6am today and shipped it through a flat track container to Canada.
Kalasagar Arts is acknowledged for making prominent Sarvajanik Ganpati idols such as Andhericha Raja and Fortcha Raja.
As per Khatu usually idols up to four-feet or six-feet high were shipped abroad but this is the first time that 16ft tall idol is being shipped overseas.
The idol will be immersed in an artificial pond and not a natural water body. A huge 20×20ft artifical pond mixed with water and sodium bicarbonate has been created to dissolve the plaster of paris (POP) idol. The theme is of a Raja (king) pose with a Raja baithak (sitting) for this idol similar to Lalbaugcha Raja”.
The undisclosed cost involved, includes money for sculpting, logistics and packaging. The idol is being shipped by LP Industries.
Khatu added that there are many Hindus in Canada where a few household murtis idols are brought but the celebration for the first time will be Sarvajanik and on a grand scale. Khatu had received the order for the idol three weeks back.
Khatu reportedly makes around 75-100 sarvajanik idols for Mumbai and on an average, seven artists and labourers work on one idol.
Khatu is the main artist and he said that fabrication and packaging is the most difficult part of making the idol.
For packaging, there are wooden planks on all six sides enclosing the idol and there are airbags in it to keep Bappa safe inside the wooden frame. It will take four to five weeks for the idol to reach the destination.
Khatu is the third-generation sculptor in his family.
Khatu further added that the tradition was started by his grandfather and then his father Rajan Khatu, who passed away during the pandemic. He is carrying forth the family tradition.
Khatu also stressed that the government should find a scientific alternative for POP idols if they want an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav.
That way we too huge idols could be made and carry forward the legacy that Mumbai has for Ganpati idols.
Kala Sagar Arts is open to any material other than POP which will enable them to make big idols. A proper alternative to make tall idols is always welcome and one should ensure another way for visarjan.
He further affirmed that to be honest, there should be research and there is also science involved in providing alternatives. However, we at the ground level cannot do it as it will incur a lot of cost. So, the government should be proactive in finding an eco-friendly solution for tall idols.
When Khatu is not carving out beautiful idols, he is a sports management professional and takes contracts for events such as the Indian Premier League, Pro Kabaddi, etc,.
News Edit K.V.Raman
