Amidst a coconut grove adjoining a water channel at Mela Kondayampettai in Tiruvanaikoil, a group workers are engrossed in a feverish activity under a metal-roof site.
Spraying water colours and giving final touches to idols of Lord Vinayaka of various hues, the workers are racing against time to complete their job ahead of the Vinayaka Chathurthi festival on Thursday.
A row of beautiful idols of various sizes are ready at the site for despatch to customers across the State who had booked the icons well in advance for the festival.
Thirty-six-year-old T. Selvakumar, the idol maker who has inherited this profession from his forefathers, is busy overseeing the finishing touches given to the colourful idols made of papier-mâché.
The works started three months ago upon bagging orders from the customers, says Selvakumar who has engaged a group of workers to accomplish the task.
This time around 300 to 350 idols of heights ranging from three feet to 11 feet have been made, says Mr. Selvakumar.
The latest version for this year include ‘Guitar’ Vinayakar holding the instrument, ‘Drums’ Pillaiyar, and five-headed Naga Pillaiyar.
Adhering to guidelines laid down by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, the idols made of organic material are given a coat of water colours, says Mr. Selvakumar.
Parts of the idols have been procured from various places such as Villupuram, Panruti, Cuddalore, Puducherry, and Kancheepuram and assembled meticulously depending on the shape at Kondayampettai.
Thereafter, a fresh coat of water colours are sprayed to make it dazzling, says Selvakumar and added that the idols were made based on customers’ specifications as well.
The Kondayampettai idols had many takers which was evident from the customers across the State. Four idols had been despatched to Ramanathapuram and another equal numbers to Tirunelveli.
By Wednesday night the idols would be despatched to different places in Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Papanasam, Mannargudi, Dindigul, Ariyalur, Athur, and Jayamkondam, says Mr. Selvakumar.
The price of every idol differs – starting from Rs. 3,000 and going up to Rs. 15,000.
Compared to last year, business has not been that encouraging this time, says Mr. Selvakumar.
