Artisans in a dilemma: Covid-19 restrictions, weekend lockdown hit Ganesh Chaturthi sales
Aparna Banerji
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, August 21
Until last year they sculpted big Ganesha statues and celebrated the spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi. But this time a glum year has given way to a yet more sombre Ganesh Chaturthi for the artisans who have been sculpting Ganesha statues for decades in Jalandhar.
Leela’s (35) husband has been missing since February this year, leaving her to take care of two children on her own. She incurred a huge debt to sustain living during the lockdown and to prepare for the 200 Ganesha idols she had to sell during Ganesh Chaturthi. The entire year is past and now Leela anticipates a glum Ganesh Chaturthi amidst the just-imposed lockdown after 7 pm restrictions imposed today.
For artisans who were banking on the festival to make up for the reduced dividends this year, the new restriction have also made the usually lucrative Ganesh Chaturthi festival for them a glum occasion where sales are unpredictable.
Leela says, “I had complained to thana number 6 for my husband, Shankar. He left in February and still hasn’t returned. I alone take care of my children. We have debts from sabziwala (veggie vendor) and karyana wala (grocery vendor). With money yet to be paid to them, the 7 pm deadline and weekend lockdown has hit us hard during Ganesh Chaturthi also. Until last year we earned hefty sums during Ganesh Chaturthi. But it’s glum this year. Of the 200 statues I made, only three are big Ganeshas. Rest is all small because no one will buy. We don’t know how we shall sustain this year.”
There is a little silver lining on the cloud – 30 of her Ganesha statues have already been booked by customers on call – but she worries whether all the statues shall sell.
While Leela along with several kin belongs to Rajasthan, she came to Jalandhar 12 years ago from Jodhpur in pursuit of a better livelihood. Her hopes are pinned on finding her husband and bringing up her kids aged 15 (girl) and 12 (boy).
Naraini, who also sells statues for a living, says, “Maang maang ke khaya pure saal. Ab fir lockdown lag gaya. (We begged for subsistence all year and now lockdown has been implemented again). The 7 pm deadline shall massively affect customers. While sales were brisk during the day, we were banking heavily on the Ganesh Chaturthi festival for a better livelihood for the rest of the year. While we sell clay pots and vases the year round, the big statues we sell on Ganesh Chaturthi pay rich dividends every year. Today and tomorrow were pivotal for sales. Today is wrapped up and tomorrow is lockdown.”
Leela said, “Last year all my statues barring 15-16 were sold. This year we made 200, most of them small. If only we get decent sales, we can at least pay off the debt on various vendors.”
