Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS/HB) 

Udupi, Oct 21: Festival of Lights, Deepavali is round the corner. When one thinks of Deepavali, the picture of traditional lamps kept neatly in line and a colourful Goodudeepa hanging from the roof come to mind. In the city of Udupi also, the preparations are in full swing to celebrate Deepavali festival in grand style. Goodudeepas of various kinds and types have already arrived in the market. 

The only regret is that year by year, the Goodudeepas that are available in the market are far from the traditional ones that were made long ago. In a bid to revive the old traditional Goodudeepas, a team of women, from Moodubettu of Malpe near here, came together. These are made from bamboo. There are mainly varieties like Ashta Patti, Nakshatra, Dasha Patti and Mantapa Goodudeepas made by this team of women. 

Six women of Moodubettu have got together and are preparing Goodudeepas in pure traditional style since five years. They use bamboo sticks, colour paper, thread, paper flowers and gum. Mamata guides the other members of the team Shashikala, Vrinda, Shreya, Geetha and Ranjitha in preparing these Goodudeepas. 

The work of sizing the bamboo sticks and preparing the Atte (basic structure) is done six months ahead of Deepavali. As the Deepavali approaches the team starts decorating the Atte with paper flowers. These women prepare 100 to 150 Goodudeepas. 

There is also a special variety of Goodudeepa, which is called as Sunglass Sheet Goodudeepa. This is manufactured from the sunglass sheet. The light from this Goodudeepa spreads everywhere and increases the beauty of the surroundings. That is why this has got more demand. More than 30 Goodudeepas of this type are already sold. The team of women manufactures the Goodudeepas against prior orders. 

Mamatha, the leader of the women's team, which manufactures these traditional Goodudeepas, says, "In olden days, all the members of a family used to get together and manufacture the Goodudeepa. But in modern times, due to lack of time and patience, traditions are getting extinct. Traditional Goodudeepas are replaced by the cloth and plastic Goodudeepas, which are readily available in the market. But it should not be like this. People have to understand the importance of traditionally made Goodudeepas. So we have taken the lead and are manufacturing the Goodudeepas in traditional style. This gives us happiness also." 

Among this group of women, Mamatha and Geetha, also design artwork from wood since six years. They carve beautiful wall show pieces, gift articles, elephant, idols of gods and goddesses and bines. They have good demand for these products also.