Christanand Pednekar
CURCHOREM: The Chari family of Mestavada Kakoda has kept the family business of making Ganesh idols alive despite the Government’s failure to provide them with any reasonable financial support.
This is the Chari family’s fourth generation carrying on their traditional business.
It was exciting to see a 7-year old boy from teh family also helping his father, Nitesh Chari, make the idols.
Today, most Goan artists lack the support and inspiration from Government but still continue their traditional work. Many of the traditional artists have given up their businesses.
Today in Goa, you have to struggle to find such artists. One of the artists trying to continue his traditional work is Nitesh Chari from Mestawada of Kakoda, Curchorem, whose grandfather started making these Ganesh idols. His father and brother have taken this tradition ahead.
Nitesh has continued his traditional business in a small house in Kakoda with the help of his wife Sanjeeta Nitesh Chari and 7-year-old son Riyash Nitesh Chari.
Nitesh Chari said to Goemkarponn Media, “I work in a garage where I do painting work for trucks and other vehicles. Through this painting work, I feed my family and keep this traditional business of our family alive.”
He further said that they make about 80 idols of Ganesha every year, and for that, his wife also helps paint Ganesha idols at home.
He also said that this is their family business, and his son is also taking a serious interest in making small Ganesha idols.
When Nitesh’s wife was asked if she had ever received financial assistance from the Government in the past, she said they have never received any support or cooperation from anyone.
“…after Ganesh Chaturthi, we get financial help from the Government, and that is Rs 100 per Ganesh idol. This is our family business; we continue this work with our own source of income,” she said..
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