HYDERABAD: Hit severely by the Covid-19 pandemic, the idol makers in the city have decided to construct Ganesh idols only between eight inch and five foot in height this year.
While the makers are seeing huge plunge in sales, scarcity of clay due to difficulty in getting transportation during the prolonged lockdown was also a key factor to construct smaller idols.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has put cold water on our plans. But relief has come in the form of a greater demand for smaller idols. We are now getting bulk orders from wholesale retailers,” R Chandra Mohan, a city-based Ganesh idol manufacturer, told TOI.
“We have prepared and sold 1.20 lakh idols that are eight inch in height, 40,000 idols with 10 inch height, 20,000 that are a feet tall, 10,000 idols with 1.5 feet height and 5,000 idols with two-feet height,” added Mohan.
The makers have even started accepting bulk order online this year. They are also preparing idols with eco-friendly clay that can be installed in apartment buildings, gated communities and group housing complexes, and can be immersed on the spot. “The dissolved soil can be used for gardening,” said Mohan, who has 14 years of experience in idol making.
Speaking about the dip in profits, he said that while their turn over used to be around Rs 1.5 crore, this year, they have only been able to earn 50% of it.
Another idol maker Shiva Raj said: “In view of the pandemic, we have greatly reduced the size of the idols. They are sold between Rs 80 per piece and Rs 150, based on the height and design. We are supplying bulk order in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.”
“The state has to rescue us during the current crisis and ensure that we get bookings from government departments to save the livelihood of hundreds of artisans,” he added.
While the makers are seeing huge plunge in sales, scarcity of clay due to difficulty in getting transportation during the prolonged lockdown was also a key factor to construct smaller idols.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has put cold water on our plans. But relief has come in the form of a greater demand for smaller idols. We are now getting bulk orders from wholesale retailers,” R Chandra Mohan, a city-based Ganesh idol manufacturer, told TOI.
“We have prepared and sold 1.20 lakh idols that are eight inch in height, 40,000 idols with 10 inch height, 20,000 that are a feet tall, 10,000 idols with 1.5 feet height and 5,000 idols with two-feet height,” added Mohan.
The makers have even started accepting bulk order online this year. They are also preparing idols with eco-friendly clay that can be installed in apartment buildings, gated communities and group housing complexes, and can be immersed on the spot. “The dissolved soil can be used for gardening,” said Mohan, who has 14 years of experience in idol making.
Speaking about the dip in profits, he said that while their turn over used to be around Rs 1.5 crore, this year, they have only been able to earn 50% of it.
Another idol maker Shiva Raj said: “In view of the pandemic, we have greatly reduced the size of the idols. They are sold between Rs 80 per piece and Rs 150, based on the height and design. We are supplying bulk order in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.”
“The state has to rescue us during the current crisis and ensure that we get bookings from government departments to save the livelihood of hundreds of artisans,” he added.
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