How a Pune workshop toiled hard to make ‘unbreakable’ Ganpati idol gifted to PM Modi

Though challenging, the order for the 2-ft idol made of fiberglass came as a great honour for Deshmukh’s Natraj Arts.

“The idea was that the PM would remember his visit to the city and the temple every time he saw the idol,” says Deshmukh.

Unbreakable fiberglass was preferred as the idol made of terracotta or Plaster of Paris could get damaged during packing or transit to Delhi.

“It takes a month to make a fiberglass idol because the raw material is rock hard. Normally, one or two artisans work on a piece but this time, we put all hands to work. With my brother Rajendra Deshmukh, we toiled night and day to prepare the idol on time,” says Deshmukh.

Like the original idol in the temple, which is visited by thousands every day, the idol designed by Natraj Arts is rich in fine detailing in structure as well as paintwork. “It is a rule at our workshop that we bring absolute respect to our work. Nobody, not even the workers, consume non-vegetarian food, tobacco or alcohol. We have strong faith,” adds Deshmukh.

He explains that the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati is simple and true to the culture inscribed in the Hindu scriptures. Unlike modern interpretations of Ganesh, the idol has two hands open—one to bless and the other to hold a modak—and two hands clutching weapons to destroy evil and protect the faithful. The four arms are held outward from the body, creating the look of being open, says Deshmukh.

The Deshmukhs have been making Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati for homes across India and the idols are preferred in over 20 countries, including the US and Germany.

That their idol would grace the Prime Minister’s Office one day would have been unbelievable to Shamrao Deshmukh, the father of Lalasaheb and Rajendra. Senior Deshmukh was a subedar major in the Indian Army when he took voluntary retirement in the 1970s after 23 years of service. Shamrao then started a transportation business that went bust, leaving the family with no money, source of livelihood or ideas.

“There was a question mark. We started to sell Ganpati idols on a commission basis. Gradually, we started making idols at a parking space in Subhash Nagar. Eventually, without knowing anything about idol making, including the difference between oil and water paint, we started Natraj Arts,” says Lalasaheb Deshmukh, who believes that their hard work and faith in Ganpati brought them success.

Though the brothers have graduated in different fields and Lalasaheb had worked in the firm supplying bombshell covers for defence and Rajendra was into designing interiors of luxury hotels, the duo continued to stay in the idol-making business. They started working closely with Dagdusheth Halwai around seven years ago. Last year, the brothers sent a three-and-a-half-foot miniature of the idol for the Maratha Light Infantry stationed in Leh-Ladakh.

“Wherever there is the presence of the Army and want to keep a Ganpati, we present them with one free of charge,” says Lalasaheb.

At their workshops, in Subhash Nagar and Dayari, work is continuing calmly as Ganeshotsav approaches. One of the largest suppliers of idols, Natraj Arts makes almost 5,000 idols every year.

Every year the work of designing the idols begins after Dussehra for the next season’s Ganeshotsav.

A decade ago, the Deshmukhs switched to eco-friendly, water-soluble paint. “People used to be drawn to shiny painted Ganesh idols but we worked to bring about a perception change and were successful. We owe it to the blessings of Ganpati Bappa,” says Lalasaheb Deshmukh.