One of the seniors of the family, Sudhakar Rao was missing, but the family continues making Ganesha Idols, which was started in 1932 by Late M. Mohan Rao, a printer cum versatile drama artist during my younger days.
I revisited their workshop to see this year's Ganesha idols, and I was delighted to see that they have order for more Ganesha idols this year!
First, my old article for those interested.
Three Generations in the Creation of Ganesha Idols
Pics courtesy: Prakash Kamath Kanthavar and from Rao's archives
Ganapathi, Vighneshwara, Siddhi Vinayaka, Vighnahaaraka, Chaamarakarna, Ameya, The Lord who is supposed to demolish all the evil obstacles in life for those who believe in him, in other words - 'Lord Ganesha', is worshipped by the masses the world over, especially on the event called 'Chauti' or 'Ganesha Chaturthi' every year.
The annual festival starts on the fourth day of the Bhadrapada month after the New Moon, when people bring the clay image of Ganesha decorated with flowers and ornaments home, perform poojas, offer prasadams and jubiliate by singing, dancing and sharing the joy among the family, friends and the public!
Most of us have seen the festivities, popularised by the forethought of Bala Gangadhar Tilak who started such a festival over a hundred years ago to unite people and to show the British rulers, the power of integrity amongst the Indians. This is a National Festival of utmost importance that brings unity amongst all the castes, creeds and religions.
While most of us have seen such festivities galore every year, some of us have not had a glimpse of 'Behind the Scene', where these Ganesha models are made. At least, not quite the way in which a family with three generations have dedicated themselves for over 75 years in crafting these lovely models of Ganesha even today!
Prakash called me last Sunday and reminded me that Ganesha Chaturthi is fast approaching and he has some interesting pics that he has captured in his camera!
"Kudpimaam, we must show the world how three generations within a family are dedicated to create beautiful Ganesha models for Chauthi!" - Prakash sounded very firm and determined.
I agreed to his proposition and we planned to visit the place where such masterpieces are crafted. I had seen the place before, but not when Ganesha models were in the making. All I know about the place is that it belonged to M Mohan Rao, an artist who was close to my father in printing and binding business, sometimes exposing his acting talents in my father's dramas including 'Sanyasi Gongadi'. I also remember visiting Mohan Rao for Wedding 'Petas'(Turbans) and 'Basinga's(Ornamental pendant adorning the forehead of a bridegroom), whenever we had weddings within our house hold. My last visit to Mohan Rao's house was in the year 1978, as far as I remember!
Prakash came to pick me up that afternoon and we were all set to explore the place.
We parked our vehicle on the road opposite to Hotel Durga Mahal in Mannagudda junction and walked the short stretch leading to a lane known as Haridas Lane (or Boova's Lane). I slowly started recalling my childhood memories as I took each step down the lane, leading to an old tile roofed house painted unmistakably blue in typical Mangalorean style!
"I am stepping into this house after almost 29 years!" I excitedly told Prakash, who was trying to protect his camera case from the light drizzle.
The house looked almost the same as I had seen long ago! The very first room had a treddle letter press machine for printing hand bills, cards and brochures.
This time, I just had a glimpse of two girls and a boy binding books, and no printing machine in sight. Nevertheless, the atmosphere was as quiet as it was, 29 years ago.
Prakash showed me the heap of clay, hay and the stack of small and large wooden platforms with wooden staff at the centre; “they are all there as ever, little more esthetically placed”, said Prakash. He has been visiting here every year for the last 15 years to get their family Ganesha idol.
When we removed our footwear and entered the hall cum work area, I was totally amazed to see the number of half completed and almost completed array of clay Ganesha models!
This I must confess was something I had never seen before! When I visited this place 29 years ago, it was to bring Peta and Basinga for my brother who was getting married in December 1978.
"Please come inside" - an ageing man, almost resembling Mohan Rao greeted us. A young man was sitting by the side, trying to shape the belly of the Ganesha model that he was working on. He turned back, got up and gave a broad smile too!
Prakash introduced me to them. The elderly man was Prabhakar Rao, eldest of the three sons of Mohan Rao. The young man was his son Mahesh. They both took us around the place and showed us unfinished models of Ganesha in different sizes. Prabhakar Rao's wife came out with cups full of hot badam milk and offered us seat on a cot inside the house. As we sipped the beverage, I saw Ganesha everywhere, leaving very little space in between for us to walk around!
Here is an interview with Prabhakar Rao and Mahesh Rao, which reveals the story behind the scene in making of Ganesha models.
Q: Who started this profession and when?
Prabhakar Rao: My father M Mohan Rao, born in 1895 was working in Bombay where he learnt the art of making clay models of Ganesha. He used to bring the idols from Bombay those days. He came back to Mangalore in 1932 and started it in Mangalore.
Q: I have heard about Mohan Rao since my childhood. He was close to my father. How many idols he used to make then?
Prabhakar Rao: Ever since he started making the Ganesha idols, the number has been steady at 183. Even the design is identical! While most of these are for worship within private house holds, 15 are worshipped in public places by Temples, Trusts or Associations including the largest of all which we make for 'Sangha Niketan'. It is an 8.5 feet tall idol which they used to order from Bombay initially, but we started making that for them since last 58 years.
Today, we carry out the good work of our late father, who passed away in 1988. We do get inquiries from new households and Associations but we politely refuse, owing to limitation of space and time!
Q: Tell me who all are involved within your family in making these.
Prabhakar Rao: Apart from me and my son Mahesh, my brother Sudhakar Rao, his son Rajesh and my youngest brother Ramachandra Rao, who is a Senior Manager in Vijaya Bank, join us in the good work. Ramachandra Rao takes leave from the Bank every year during this time! Apart from this, we have my sister’s sons Balakrishna, Venkatesh and Varadaraj and finally Ramachandra Rao’s son in law Deepak Rao actively participating in making these idols. Mahesh’s wife Seema, Venkatesh Rao’s daughter Kripa and Ramachandra Rao’s daughter Dr.Preetham who is doing her MD in Gynaecology also give a hand in painting the idols!
Q: That's great, the entire family working for a good cause, irrespective of their professions and qualifications! How much do you charge for the work?
Ramachandra Rao: We don't charge for our services. We don't demand that at all! We are not doing this work to earn money. It is a service to the society that our elders started, and we are continuing it. People however; give us 'fee'(Kaanike) for our service according to their wish and capacity.
Q: Can you give us a picture about how you make these idols from raw materials?
Mahesh Rao: Yes. We get the processed clay from tile factories. They give us clay at concession. First stage is making the base of Ganesha on the wooden platforms. Once this dries up a bit, we go for the second stage, adding the bust and arms. In this stage, we use hay for support. Final stage is building the head and the trunk. Then we allow them to stand for some time and design the jewelry and the cloth, using tools that we have designed ourselves out of wooden and metal strips and blades! One specialty in our work is that we don't make these models using pre fabricated moulds. We shape them manually. It is a bit cumbersome process, but gives us lot of satisfaction. We smoothen the surface and allow the models to dry at room temperature for about a week. Then we paint them with different colours of enamel paints to give the final touch, almost one week before Ganesh Chaturthi.
Q: Do you get requests from outside Mangalore?
Sudhakar Rao: Not many. We make one for Farangipet and one for USA from where we have a party that has been taking Ganesha idol very year.
Q: What else do you do apart from crafting Ganesha idols?
Prabhakar Rao: We make Sharada Devi idols for Dasara Festival but only four, since Sharada pooja is performed mostly in public. We have printing and binding service for our livelihood. We also dress up Bridegrooms and design ‘Peta's and 'Basinga's that are essential for Hindu weddings.
Mahesh Rao: Yes. Many children come to us during Krishna Janmashtami for make up and fancy dress! We also dress them up for Mythological roles such as 'Narada' or 'Vishwamithra'!
We thanked the family members for the information they provided patiently, spending almost two hours with us, in spite of their busy schedule.
It is amazing to see three generations in a family involved in carrying out the trend set by Mohan Rao. The dedication that they are showing for the good work is heartening. Their skills are unquestionably excellent! In the modern generation of Plaster of Paris idols being in vogue, these clay models are still grafted by this family. The models they make, speak volumes about the selfless sacrifices the family is rendering year after year to uphold this ancient tradition that has kept not only the family united over the years, but also thousands of devotees of Lord Ganesha who get together every year to worship him in the form of these clay idols!
Today, the family is into Fourth generation, and they all join hands and make Ganesha idols. Demand is increasing year by year, and this year they have sculpted 204 idols, all with environmentally friendly materials like clay and lead free paint. My blogger friend from Chennai, Shrinidhi Hande was on a visit to his hometown Kota near Udupi and when he met me for the first time and asked me if anything exciting is happening in Mangaluru, I took him to Mohan Rao's place, which has been rebuilt with a strong spacious structure in place of their age old house.
There we also saw the majestic Ganesha of Sangha Niketan Mangaluru being decorated, and met Konchady Jeevanraj Shenoy, an aspirant young engineer who was personally fixing the 'Simhaasan'(Lion's Throne) for the Lord, with the help of an assistant. Prabhakar Rao the senior most member of the family, his brother Ramachandra Rao and their juniors were delighted to receive us and take us around the workshop. Their printing press is still functioning in a small room and women were seen printing and binding books.
Overall, it was an overwhelming experience to see 204 Ganesha idols being prepared zealously but silently in our own neighbourhood Mannagudda by a family that has indulged in that activity since last 8 decades.
Please go through the pictures taken during my recent visit there.
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| Shrinidhi Hande with Prabhakar Rao |
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| The Raos with Sangha Niketan Ganesha |
