Tamil Nadu Pottery Artist Comes Up With Environment-Friendly Ganesha Idols For Ganesh Chaturthi – News18

Global warming is a rising reason for concern for not just environmentalists but every resident of the globe. While the scientific community is doing what it can to keep this threat in check, common citizens are also advised to keep a tab on their carbon footprint. Then some people try to contribute to the cause of saving the environment in whatever minuscule way that they can, trying to bring about a change. And while talking about such people, a special mention needs to be made of sculpturist Velmurugan from the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.

Velmurugan has been engaged in pottery for the last 40 years and makes clay idols of deities for a living. As Ganesh Chaturthi approaches in less than four days, he is busy making Ganesha idols. He has been making Ganesha idols on the auspicious occasion for decades now. But this time, he has taken on an added responsibility along with making the idols in time for Ganesh Chaturthi. He has decided to add an environmental touch to his art by mixing seeds with soil and placing them inside the idols so that when the idols are immersed in water, the seeds can grow into big plants.

Talking to News18, Velmurugan said, “To celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi this year, I created seed Ganesha idols. I have put tree seeds, unique fruit, and rice paddy inside these idols, which are constructed to measure half a foot and one foot. For this, I gathered clay from the Tamiraparani coastal plains, removed the stone, processed it, and created the idols”.

He also said that he used watercolour to paint the idols without any chemical mixture. A half-foot statue is sold at Rs 100 and a foot-sized statue at Rs 200. The idea is that when the idols are immersed in ponds and water bodies, the seeds would get washed away and germinate on the banks and give rise to more greenery. Velmurugan says he is happy to be part of something that would be beneficial to people and the climate.