From side hustle to thriving business, effigy-making opens avenues for Patiala artists

With Dasehra around the corner, Safabadi Gate, located in the heart of the city, has transformed into a hub of festive activity. The lanes near Atma Ram Kumar Sabha Senior Secondary School are lined with towering effigies of the demon king Ravana, turning the area into a vibrant display of craftsmanship.

What began as a small tradition nearly three decades ago has grown into a thriving business, with effigies now being sold not only within the city but also across Punjab and neighbouring states.

Local trader Amit Kumar explains that Ravana effigies are priced anywhere between Rs 100 and Rs 50,000. He attributes the trade’s steady growth to the rise of urban housing societies, noting that many affluent families now prefer buying effigies locally rather than visiting traditional melas, citing safety concerns for women and children as well as pollution.

Satish Kumar, another trader, recalls that around 50 families in the area are now engaged in this craft. He credits his elder brother, Santosh Kumar, for pioneering the trade nearly 28 years ago. Though they struggled to find buyers in the early years, their fortunes changed in 1997 when they sold their first effigy for Rs 1,500 — a moment that marked the beginning of a flourishing enterprise.

For artisan Tarun Dhingra, what started as a side hustle has evolved into a major business. Today, their effigies are bought by customers not just from Punjab but also from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi. Those visiting the Kali Devi temple also take back miniature Ravana effigies as souvenirs.

With families increasingly avoiding crowded mela grounds, many residents are turning to these local craftsmen to keep the festivities alive. Rajiv Kumar, a Model Town resident, recently visited Safabadi Gate with his son to purchase a miniature effigy, which the boy planned to burn in a small celebration with his friends.

City resident Jaskirat Singh believes the government should step in to support the artisans, especially by encouraging them to adopt eco-friendly alternatives. He stresses that while environmental concerns must be addressed, the centuries-old skills and livelihoods of these craftsmen should also be preserved.