Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: As Ganesh Chaturthi nears, the ninth generation of the renowned Chari family at Char-Rasta is hard at work sculpting over 350 eco-friendly clay idols to meet the festive needs of local families. Despite a delayed start due to a medical emergency, brothers Raghunath, Pujan, Sidharth, and Kishore Chari—along with their sons, the 10th generation—are fully engaged in shaping traditional idols using the specialized chikan-mathi clay.
“The kids help us too. Two of them can now work independently, though always under our supervision,” said Sidharth Chari, referring to the involvement of youngsters Vivan, Vardhan, Taksh, and Tanish Chari in the craft.
In addition to family idols, the Chari clan also sculpts two Sarvajanik (community) Ganesh idols each year. Their artistic legacy traces back at least four generations, including their father Vithobha, uncle Vilas, grandfather Raghunath, and great-grandfather Vithobha Chari.
The family expressed gratitude for government subsidies of ₹100 per idol (up to 250 idols), which are received in a timely manner. Last year, they also received mud mixing equipment. However, they voiced serious concern over the dwindling availability of chikan-mathi, traditionally sourced from fields near Ravindra Bhavan and Pernem—both areas now compromised due to development and airport construction.
“If this continues, government intervention may be required to procure the special clay from neighboring states,” Sidharth warned.
Raising environmental concerns, he strongly advocated for a complete ban on Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols. “Canacona was known for exclusively using clay idols. PoP idols don’t dissolve properly and harm our ecology. People must stop buying them, and the government should ban their manufacture and import,” he appealed.
As the Chari family continues its age-old tradition with devotion and environmental awareness, their story reflects the intersection of heritage, craftsmanship, and sustainability.
