Mumbai: In a corner of Dharavi where lanes are tight and the air carries the scent of wet clay, 82-year-old Anna Shedge and his family are working hard shaping Ganesh idols for the upcoming festival. But this year, more than ever, Anna is hopeful not just for a good season, but for a better future.
“I won’t be around forever. But my grandson Satyam deserves more than this heat, this dust, this struggle,” Anna says, gently pressing shadu clay, the soft, traditional material his family has worked with for generations.
Redevelopment Promises Breath of Fresh Air
The Shedges are among the many idol-making families in Dharavi who see the upcoming redevelopment as a chance to breathe easier. Literally, “There’s no ventilation, hardly any light. Just imagine making something as sacred as Bappa’s idol in these conditions,” he says, pointing to their cramped workshop.
Three Generations of Craft in Clay
Originally from Sindhudurg, Anna’s family has been in the idol-making trade for ages. His grandfather Babusurba was one of the first to work with shadu clay in their village.
Anna moved to Mumbai as a teenager and learned the craft in Chinchpokli, a hub for Ganpati idol makers in Mumbai, before setting up his own workshop in Dharavi. “People here opened their hearts to me. I built everything here, including my family’s future.”
Grandson’s Talent, Stalled Dreams
That future now rests on the young shoulders of Satyam, who has a gifted hand when it comes to colouring and painting the eyes of Lord Ganesha, an art that brings the idol to life. But Satyam’s dreams of formal art education didn’t work out. “He couldn’t get into college. But he has the talent and the dedication. What he needs now is a proper place to grow,” says Anna.
Changing Market for Idols
The idol business, too, is changing. From eight months of work, the sculpting season has been cut down to four because of restrictions and shifting trends. Eco-friendly clay is in, while Plaster of Paris (POP) idols are fading.
For the Shedges, this shift is an opportunity. “Satyam and others like him can adapt. If there’s proper space, maybe even a showroom, people will come to buy. Right now, we wait for customers. After redevelopment, they might just walk in.”
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Devotion Beyond Livelihood
Inside the Shedge workshop, it’s messy and noisy. Paint brushes, idols in various stages of completion. “Making Ganpati is not just a job. It’s devotion. And I just want the next generation to carry that devotion forward but with dignity,” says Anna with a smile.
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