Celebrating a victory

This is a time as good as any to cheer the artisans. They get to showcase their best and we get to enjoy a visual feast.

September 18, 2014 04:33 pm | Updated 04:33 pm IST

All lined up: Effigies of Ravana. Photo: Rohit Jain Paras

All lined up: Effigies of Ravana. Photo: Rohit Jain Paras

Dussehra, Navaratri or Durga Pooja — call it what you will— is a time for feasting, both for the tummy and the eye. Every State celebrates the triumph of good over evil with equal zest and fervour. For those who love to travel, make sure you pick this season, and witness the celebrations across India.

Be it the Changiya choli or the Bandhani ghaghras, it is the result of hard work by the Kutch dressmakers from Gujarat. Once again, sales pick up after the last season. Families flock to buy ethnic wear for the dandiya and ras leela evenings.

For idol makers and pandal decorators, it is the busiest time. It takes them months to get these ready with the theme, source their material and approvals from the local committees. The idol makers have a tough task. They have to convince organisers to buy their idols. And it is not just the price that has to be negotiated. With so much going on about the environment, the idol makers have to pass the green test. And once their idol is sold, they have ten days ahead of them to celebrate.

For the Raavan effigy makers in Karnataka and in north India, this is the only season for sale. Titarpur, a small market in Delhi, comes to life three months before Dussehra. Passers–by notice the towering bamboo frames and colourful papier-mâché images of Ravana. Every year, over 2,000 effigies are sold and that’s a reason to cheer, for them.

In south India, doll makers start displaying their collections at least a month before the festival. Made from different material, each doll is unique. Most artisans also go the extra mile creating new dolls to match the latest themes. Last year, with India winning the World Cup, the 11 ganeshas playing cricket was a sell out.

This festival is not just about gods, mythology and rituals; it is a time when the country gets to showcase its music, dance, theatre and art. Take time off to notice the art and the artisans who make this happen.

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