Hollywood gali artist carving Ganesha idol

Nestled somewhere off the posh C G Road area of Ahmedabad, a nomadic old world resides, of the baori or bawri community among six other communities, including the chharas in the slums of Gulbai Tekra aka Hollywood gali.

The micro tribe that migrated from Rajasthan during the Great Famine of 1856 learned to earn their livelihood with their god-gifted skill of sculpting the deities.

With Ganesh Chaturthi just around the corner, the boari community of Gulbai Tekra are all geared up for the festivities that yield them maximum earnings for the year.

“Bolo kevi murti joiye?” (Which type of idol do you want) asks Tannu as Gujarat Samachar Digital visits the place. The petite woman in Rajput attire has a peculiar boari identity – a golden nose ring that women of all ages wear in the basti.

Baori community women of Gulbai Tekra

When asked if all their idols will be sold, Tannu makes a witty remark, “Bhagwan to vechai j javana chhe ne!” (God will be sold, afterall!).

“Almost 5,000 families here are involved in all kinds of art, but sculpting religious idols stayed with us and became our legacy. We make idols as per the festivals, Ganeshji on Ganesh Chaturthi, Laxmiji on Diwali, Mataji avatars in Navratri, and that is how we earn our livelihood,” says Dinesh Rathod, a singer, theatre artist and a sculptor.

“Every family here has preserved the 200-year-old legacy of sculpting and painting, the main source of our livelihood,” says Dinesh.

“From 2-inch to 12-feet, you’ll find the smallest and tallest idols in Gulbai Tekra. The community here sells 2 lakh to 2.5 lakh Ganpati idols approximately every year,” says Paresh Marwadi, community leader at Gulbai Tekra.

Ganesha idol at Gulbai Tekra

“I challenge that one of the best moulds of Ganesha idols across India would be from Gulbai Tekra,” says Paresh with a proud smirk.

The idols from Gulbai Tekra are sent to Vapi, Surat, Valsad, and even Pune and Mumbai, according to Paresh.

“The Gulbai Tekra artist community makes both eco-friendly and PoP (plaster of Paris) murtis. We have mostly shifted to eco-friendly murtis as our river Sabarmati is getting polluted by the day,” emphasises Paresh.

According to the artists, eco-friendly murtis take 20 days, whereas 100 such PoP murtis can be made in the meantime.

“Ram Lalla themed Ganesha murti is a trend this year!” said Paresh.

Ram Lalla themed Ganesha idol in making

The eyes have it all

While men are busy in moulding and sculpting the murtis, women and children enjoy painting and detailing the finer aspects of the idols, informed Paresh.

“There’s an interesting fact! Not every sculptor can make and paint the eyes of the murtis, that is why it is done after the whole murti is made, by a special artist for eyes painting in Gulbai Tekra,” says Paresh.

Baori community woman and child painting Ganesha idol

When asked how the prep was going, Laxman Parmar said with a satisfaction on his face, “We are preparing Bappa for thousands of homes.”

According to him, one of the challenges to the business is fewer  customers and frequent rains. The heavy rains in Ahmedabad have destroyed many clay and eco-friendly idols. Morevoer, people were also reluctant to enter the waterlogged Gulbai Tekra area.

Livelihood or legacy?

“I have been making idols for the past 30 years. Our ancestors started this work decades ago. I do it for a living, but my son here is sculpting out of passion and continuing the legacy. He works 9 to 5 at a private firm and makes idols later which gives him peace,” says Laxman.

Also read:

Ahmedabad police demand names of influential organisers ahead of Ganesh festival