Viraj Khatavkar, a third-generation sculptor from Pune has been integrating traditional craftsmanship with new age technology in the art of Ganesh idol making. He has created a 3-feet Ganesh idol for the Honaji Tarun Mandal’s Utsav Murti in Pune, blending heritage and innovation.
Rather than relying solely on traditional methods, Viraj decided to use his skills from Master’s degree in 3D Modelling and Reverse Engineering into this project. |
The sculpture work began when Viraj got the opportunity to recreate the mandal’s 125-year-old Ganesh idol. He was asked to replicate the original 21-inch idol that depicted the deity in a tilted wrestling pose into a three feet idol.
Rather than relying solely on traditional methods, he decided to use his skills from Master’s degree in 3D Modelling and Reverse Engineering into this project.
“When I got the opportunity to craft the 125-year-old Ganesh idol, I thought of creating it using 3D Modelling and Reverse Engineering,” Viraj explained. It would have been difficult and time taking to replicate accurately the intricate positioning of the deity, which is in a wrestling move and balanced on only one rear leg by hand alone.
The project began with a 3D scan of the original 21-inch idol, creating a three-dimensional mesh model. Viraj then scaled up the digital model and created a 3D prototype using die casting and point-cloud technology. The carving was done through a subtractive carving method with robotic assistance as it ensures accuracy and detailing.
What traditional method would have taken around 2.5 months to complete, technology’s use helped it finish within a month. And yet the final product retained all the intricate artwork and detailing.
“This smart work and technology offers maximum accuracy,” Viraj said, highlighting how difficult it would be to achieve the same precision through traditional hand-carving methods alone.
Viraj explained that technology can be used for restoration work as well, such as AI can help generate superficial portions that might be broken or missing from ancient statues. “The artificial intelligence reimagines and generates the missing sections, which then helps in producing accurate dies for reconstruction,” he said.
Despite using modern technology, Viraj remains deeply connected to his family’s age-old legacy. “My grandfather started sculpting, father continued it, and I also felt the need to carry on this legacy,” he said.
“My grandfather was the first to create the fiberglass Ganesh idol at Tulshibaug in 1975, and he has been creating ‘Utsav Murtis’ since 1952, crafting idols as huge as 14 feet, completely handmade,” Viraj added.
The Ganesh idol involved use of Shadu Mati clay. It was cast in epoxy polystyrene resin using a PoP mold, then completed with primer coating and a realistic color scheme for making it attractive.
Viraj believes his technology-enabled Ganesh idol will remain maintenance-free for at least a century. However, he emphasises that technology alone cannot create art. “No sculpture can look good aesthetically unless it is handcrafted,” Viraj added. “I feel fortunate to carry forward the legacy and I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to contribute my art in this Ganesh festival.”
Moreover, Viraj’s work extends beyond crafting Ganesh idols. He was also behind the creation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue in Tokyo, Japan, which was inaugurated on March 8 this year.
