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Journalism of Courage
Ganpati bappa
Satguru8217;s, the legendary art store, puts up it8217;s annual display and sale of Ganpatis starting tomorrow. A regular feature since the last six years, this event draws crowds not just for the uniqueness that Satguru8217;s stands for, but also for the wonderfully innovative forms of the elephant god that find their way into ficures here. Says Prakash Babani, the owner, quot;Every form and posture of Ganpati has a different meaning. For instance, the one where he is sitting on the rat, is known as sankat mochan, and is believed to ward off evil and keep business smooth. The one where his hand is open, signifies that the place he is seated in is blessed. The one where he has an umbrella and a lota in his hand, is the one who stays with people who travel a lot,quot; he says.
Funny thing is, says Babani, that these idols invariably land up with people who already have these traits. quot;It8217;s all about destiny. If you8217;re the home-bird, you won8217;t end up with the umbrella-toting idol. It8217;s just that way,quot; he says. A firm believer in the power of Ganpati, Babani says that he too felt the change after he placed a sankat-mochan on the cash register at Satgurus. quot;I wasn8217;t a believer, but it changed.quot;
Made in wood, fibreglass, crystal, terra-cotta, stained-glass, reinforced indestructible material, ceramics and painted, Ganpatis here come in the form of lamps, pots, door hangings, paintings, murals, sculptures, frames and statues, in vivid colours and forms. None, however, are for visarjan. quot;These are mostly indestructible, and they are meant to keep,quot; explains Babani. The treasures they are, they most certainly qualify as worthy of keepsakes.
