Thriving on effigy making

Made of bamboo, strings, coloured paper and fireworks, the business of effigy-making is tedious and spread over months. Moinuddin can make some of his Ravanas talk too with loudspeakers inside them, while in others he intalls homing devices to set them afire at the touch of a button.

Moinuddin has a 15-member team with Jiya, his son, as the manager. Currently it8217;s a rush for the DDussera-Day, with eight effigies of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhkarna to be readied.

And the effigies made by Moinuddin and Co go places 8212; Kashmir, Mumbai, Himachal Pradesh 8212; Ravana effigies has seen them all.

So how does Moinuddin feel, carrying on a tradition that8217;s not part of the religion he practices. Talk about unity in diversification when Jiya interjects: quot;Hamara to sara hi kaam mandiron ka hai, dharmik hai. Itna kamate nahin, lekin sukoon hai, hunar hai.quot; All the work we do is religious. Not much money but there8217;s satisfaction, there8217;s skill.quot; At the rate of Rs 150 per foot an effigy costs about Rs 25,000 to 30,000 8212; marginal profit for the artistes as the cost includes that of the raw material and labour.

But that does not bother Moinuddin as it8217;s the wish to experience a new city that brings him here.