With Ganeshotsav only a few days away, idol makers in Thane are facing mounting losses as demand remains weak for Shadu clay Ganpati idols while customers continue to prefer idols made from plaster of Paris, or POP. Artisans say the lack of a clear policy on the sale of POP idols has made it difficult to estimate demand and decide how many clay idols to produce.
The situation has left several Shadu clay idols unsold in workshops across the city. Idol makers fear that the unsold stock could result in losses running into lakhs of rupees. They say the time required to make clay idols, higher production costs, a shortage of artisans and changing customer preferences have increased the financial pressure on their businesses.
Government departments and local bodies have introduced measures to promote environmentally friendly Shadu clay idols ahead of the festival. However, artisans say these efforts have not translated into sufficient demand. According to them, POP idols continue to be sold in the market because there is no clarity regarding the restrictions or ban on their sale.
The uncertainty has also affected production planning. Idol makers say they cannot determine how much Shadu clay stock to prepare when the status of POP sales remains unclear. As a result, idols prepared on the basis of expected demand are being left unsold. Artisans also allege that although the Thane Municipal Corporation provides clay free of cost, it is not always made available at a time that matches the production schedule for the idols.
The experience of idol maker Kirti Thakur illustrates the scale of the problem. Thakur prepared 350 Shadu clay idols and 250 POP idols this year after estimating demand for the festival. All 250 POP idols have been sold, while only 20 to 22 of the Shadu clay idols have been registered for purchase, according to Thakur.
Thakur said the unsold clay idols could lead to a loss of approximately Rs 4.5 lakh. The artisan also said that a personal investment of Rs 2 lakh remains tied up in the production. The difference in sales between the two types of idols has reinforced concerns among makers that environmental messaging has not been matched by consistent market enforcement or adequate customer uptake.
For Thane’s idol makers, the immediate issue is now the disposal or sale of the clay idols already produced for this year’s festival. The artisans are seeking greater clarity on the policy governing POP idols and better coordination over the supply of clay so that production can be aligned with the festival timetable.
