WB artists carve a niche with their magic fingers

Mumbai: As the city prepares to welcome the Navratri festival, several idol makers are making use of the expertise of artists called in from West Bengal to give finishing touches, especially while crafting the deity’s eyes and ears and other facial decorative features. 

The artists were booked in advance for the purpose. The artists’ idols have two common patterns: ‘Wagheshwari’ and ‘Amba Ma’. The prices of the idols range from Rs 2000 to Rs 25,000 depending upon their height. 

The idols of  ‘Amba  Ma’ and ‘Wagheshwari’ are specially designed by hand and made up of clay known as ‘shadu’. Idol maker Ajit Korgavkar said, “We have typical patterns such as Amba Ma and Wagheswari , that is one goddess is on a  tiger and another one is on  a lion. We have special orders to make it .”

Another Idol maker Rajan Vedak said, “Since 147 years this  is our idol making workshop and I am working here since 35 years and I only deal with ‘Shadu Mati’ idols, and I have idols starting from Rs 2000 to up to Rs 1 lakh.”

The talk of the town and famous devi of Mumbaikars is Byculla's Dagdi Chawl widely known as ‘daddy’s devi’ which is known to be Don Arun Gawli’s  goddess. Gawli’s  daughter Gita Gawli said, “ This year’s theme is Mayur  Mahal . It is based on Rajwada of  Rajasthan and  like every year we are planning to make it unique.”