About a dozen of women are busy giving finishing touches to beautiful idols of Krishna eyeing the Vishu market at the Sreekrishna Handicrafts and Training Institute in Kuttuveli near Thiruvizha in Chertala in the district.
The Institute had been running on a Rs 25 lakh loan from the Khadi and Village Industries Board, Kerala under the self employment scheme, Prime Minister Gramin Rozgar Yojana (PMGRY) availed last year. “We have been working on nearly 2 lakh Krishna idols for the last six months in poly-marble material, which will not break even if they fell onto the ground,” says K.S. Soman, chairman of the Institute.
There were idols from 22 inches to 6.5 ft. “With a view of changing tastes of the people, beautiful idols with jewellery are being made.
We are also training women in the making of idols. However, we are now experiencing a shortage of trainees. What one needs is patience,” he says.
The idols of Krishna range from Rs 1,500 to Rs 35,000. “ Krishna idols are in demand for Bhagavatha Sapthaha Yajnam in temples,” points out Mr.Soman, who himself is an artist.
With hours to go for the Vishu the idols are much in demand.
