Times News NetworkKanpur: With Dussehra approaching, effigies of Ravana in the city are in great demand as markets are stocked with effigies ranging from one foot to 40 feet in height. Artisans and shopkeepers are expecting brisk sales, with more than 30,000 effigies likely to be sold this year.Although there are four to five markets selling Ravana effigies in the city, the main market stretches from Gol Chauraha near the medical college to Coca Cola crossing. More than 100 shops on both sides of GT Road are displaying effigies of different sizes and designs.The one-foot-tall Ravana effigy is a new attraction this year and has caught the attention of buyers. Other varieties include Ravana with 10 heads, effigies carrying a sword and shield, and those depicting him with a single head. Prices vary according to size, with a one-foot effigy available for Rs 400, while larger ones cost up to Rs 15,000. Artisan families living along GT Road have been preparing the effigies for nearly a month.Ramu, an artisan, said paper, bamboo and colours are the main materials used in making them. However, rising prices of these materials have forced the artisans to increase their prices. He said customers often bargain, leaving artisans to balance the cost of raw materials against the time and labour involved in making the effigies.Most customers prefer smaller effigies as they are easy to carry and can be burnt in limited spaces, said another artisan. The larger effigies require ample space and special arrangements for transportation. Effigies which are very tall are generally made by specialised artisans, he added.
