Mangaluru: Residents of Mangaluru will have to pay more to bring home their favourite Ganesha idols this festive season, with prices rising by around 10% due to a shortage of clay and labour.Last year, idol prices ranged from Rs 1,000 to Rs 25,000, depending on their size. Artisans said the increase this year was mainly due to the rising cost of transporting clay from Kundapura.Traditionally, idol makers sourced mud locally from nearby tile factories and farmlands. There is a sharp decline in the number of tile factories. Shortage of labour has made it increasingly difficult to procure clay from these sources. Despite the challenges, Mangaluru’s idol makers continue to avoid plaster of paris and chemical-based paints in keeping with the city’s eco-friendly tradition.As a result, artisans are now forced to bring clay from Kundapur, incurring additional transportation costs. The increased expense has been passed on to buyers, resulting in a 10% rise in idol prices.The changing nature of demand has added to the pressure on idol makers. Vinayak Shet, an idol maker from the Car Street area, said the demand for smaller Ganesha idols had increased in recent years.“Many migrants working in Mangaluru are unable to travel to their native places to celebrate the festival. Instead, they buy smaller idols and celebrate here in the city,” he said.The growing demand for smaller idols has forced artisans to increase production, leading to a greater requirement for clay and higher transportation costs.The continuing shortage of clay and labour has also raised concerns about the future of the traditional craft. Naveen Kumar Pandeshwar, an idol maker near Sri Venkataramana Temple, said artisans could be forced to abandon traditional methods if the situation persisted.“If the shortage of clay and labour continues in the coming years, local artisans may be forced to use alternatives to clay to sustain their businesses,” he said.
