Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS 

Kundapur, Aug 21: Rajesh Gudigar Balkoor, who makes Lord Ganesh idols for the Ganesh festival thinking that it is a religious service he is doing, is the one who makes the highest number of Ganesh idols in the taluk. 

Rajesh makes more than 150 Lord Ganesh idols every year. This year he has completed making of 155 Ganesh idols, for which he got orders in advance. He has makes this idols near the Shishu Mandir of Basrur. Rajesh Gudigar is a wonderful artiste. But his talent is still hidden from public glare. 

The art of making the idols of Lord Ganesh is continuing in the family of Rajesh since the time of his grandfather. Rajesh got the skills of making the idols from Mohan Gudigar. His passion towards this skill has made Rajesh to still continue making these idols. He has completed his B Com from Basrur Shri Sharada College in 1993. After that he has even completed Health Inspector diploma. Though he had many opportunities to build up a different career, he chose his family traditional profession of Lord Ganesh idol making. During the rainy season he makes Ganesh idols. Rest of the time of the year, he produces the idols of other Gods and Goddesses, in addition to painting and sculpting. 

The mature talent of Rajesh Gudigar comes from his eye for detail and constant study of the art. He gets clear cut idea before making an idol. His passion for the art of idol making, whether it is from the wood or mud, is the result of the stress he gives on the sensation of it. Rajesh does not give more emphasis to readymade models but gives priority to brush art. That is why Rajesh Gudigar is famous in the district of Udupi. 

It is not a trivial matter of making 155 Lord Ganesh idols by one person in the taluk of Kundapur. All these are done on demand. Rajesh gets the orders by June and works for more than eight hours a day for the next three months. The making of Lord Ganesh idol required patience and dedication. If dedication, patience and devotion mix together in proper proportion, the result will be an idol of Lord Ganesh, which goes beyond his own expectations. 

Rajesh makes Lord Ganesh idols up to a height of five feet. He has got manufacturing centers in Basrur and Koteshwara. 90% of the work of idol is done by Rajesh himself. He makes the idols in various shapes, designs, positions and mythological importance, as per the demands of the customers. He makes Lord Ganesh idol that is seated on a serpent, a lotus flower, a conch, a swan and a rat. 

Compared to other districts, the rate of Lord Ganesh idol made by Rajesh is relatively cheaper taking into mind the rate of the clay and the present economic conditions. Some idol makers bargain as if it is business but Rajesh believes that making idols is a service to God. 

With regards to the paint, Rajesh uses natural and eco-friendly ones, which do not cause any water pollution and harm to the water creatures. Even with customers, he does not stick to a fixed price but prepared the idol and delivers as if it is a service to society. 

The skill and dedication exhibited by Rajesh Gudigar is really commendable. His service to the society should be recognized. The government and respective departments have to identify and honour such rare talents. Only then the art and skill of Rajesh will get a real value. For more information Rajesh can be contacted on his mobile number 7760007701.