Students embrace eco-friendly Ganesha
Mysuru
The spirit of Ganesha festival came alive at the Matrumandali Educational Institution in Vontikoppal in Mysuru on Monday, as more than 200 school and college students enthusiastically participated in a clay Ganapathi-making workshop aimed at promoting an eco-friendly celebration.
More than 230 students from Class 6 to PUC participated in the workshop with great enthusiasm. Eight skilled sculptors guided the students and demonstrated the techniques involved in making Ganapathi idols using natural clay.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the creative process as they patiently moulded the clay and gradually gave shape to it according to their own imagination. The campus was filled with excitement as the students created Ganapathi idols in different shapes and sizes.
The workshop was attended by Parashuram Gowda, General Secretary of ‘Parisarakagi Naavu’, along with Ravi Bale, Anjana, Shobha, Prabha, Gayathri, Bharathi, Jayalakshmi, Sulochana, Srushti, Sudheer Ganapathi, Ganesh, Bangara Nayaka, Akbar, Madhushree, Varshini, Shivashankar, Guruswamy, Sarthak, Mahantesh, Suma, Sumalatha, Gopal and others.
Vijayalakshmi Urs, President of the Management Committee of Matrumandali Educational Institution, Vani Prasad, Secretary, and Suresh, Principal of the PU College, were also present at the workshop.
The workshop, organised by Parisarake Naavu, an environmental protection organisation led by Parashuram Gowda, was held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The initiative has been conducted for the past five years to create awareness among children and the public about choosing natural clay idols instead of Plaster of Paris (PoP) and chemically painted Ganesha idols.
Eight skilled sculptors guided the students through the process of moulding the clay, patiently demonstrating how to shape the elephant head, ears, trunk, belly and other features of Lord Ganesha.
The workshop turned into a colourful display of youthful creativity. Students worked with great excitement, determination and patience, spending more than three hours trying to give their idols the desired shape. Some succeeded in creating beautiful and well-shaped Ganapathi idols, while others struggled with the delicate clay and ended up with unfinished or misshapen figures. Yet, failure did little to dampen their enthusiasm, as many students started again, determined to improve their creations.
The idols made by the students came in different sizes, shapes and styles, reflecting their individual imagination. While some managed to create neatly proportioned Ganesha idols, others produced unique and charming designs that showcased their creativity.
Parashuram Gowda said the objective was not merely to teach students idol-making but also to make them understand the environmental consequences of using PoP and chemical colours. Clay idols dissolve naturally in water, whereas PoP and chemical colours can pollute lakes, rivers and other water bodies.
“The enthusiasm of the students shows that the younger generation is ready to celebrate festivals in an environmentally responsible manner,” he said. The workshop sent out a strong message that tradition and environmental protection can go hand in hand, with young hands giving shape to a greener Ganesha festival.
