PRAYAGRAJ: As the festival of Holi nears, this year there are only a few takers of eco-friendly Holikas statues\ effigy in Sangam city.
City-based Holika statue makers asserted that they have not received adequate orders to shape eco -friendly Holikas this year and are finding it difficult to save their art and profession.
Concerned over environmental issues, artisans have come up with unique ideas to make their effigies environment-friendly for past three generations which would undoubtedly help to check status of air pollution.
Every year, over 4,000 holikas are set up across the district for Holi.Mangal Singh Prajapati, a statue/effigy maker, told TOI, “This year, there is less demand for the Holika statues. We make both small and big statues\ effigies as per the demand. However, we have got only six order still now and these statues are being made up from two to four feet in size with used and discarded papers and glue.”
“We are taking corrective measures to enable the statues could easily be burnt” said Prajapati, adding, “The colours applied to the statues are also natural.”
The face of the statue is made of soil and therefore, they don’t pollute the environment.
Prajapati, meanwhile, said, “We are yet to receive orders this year despite the fact that only four days are left for the festival. He also claimed that last year, many Holika pujan committees had placed their orders in advance but this year, the market is down.
Statue makers claim that they start working on Holika statues or effigies 10 to 15 days ahead of the festival. However, the sale of Holikas are yet to pick up in the city and village areas. Makers, meanwhile, said ” There was more demand for small statues which could be carried easily and buyers appreciate its weight and height while purchasing them.”
Interestingly, many families at old city area have been in the statue making business for over three decades. Apart from Holika, they shape idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi during the Diwali festival and statues of goddess Durga during Navratra.
Krishna, another statue maker said, “This time, we hope to earn better profits compared to the past year.”
City-based Holika statue makers asserted that they have not received adequate orders to shape eco -friendly Holikas this year and are finding it difficult to save their art and profession.
Concerned over environmental issues, artisans have come up with unique ideas to make their effigies environment-friendly for past three generations which would undoubtedly help to check status of air pollution.
Every year, over 4,000 holikas are set up across the district for Holi.Mangal Singh Prajapati, a statue/effigy maker, told TOI, “This year, there is less demand for the Holika statues. We make both small and big statues\ effigies as per the demand. However, we have got only six order still now and these statues are being made up from two to four feet in size with used and discarded papers and glue.”
“We are taking corrective measures to enable the statues could easily be burnt” said Prajapati, adding, “The colours applied to the statues are also natural.”
The face of the statue is made of soil and therefore, they don’t pollute the environment.
Prajapati, meanwhile, said, “We are yet to receive orders this year despite the fact that only four days are left for the festival. He also claimed that last year, many Holika pujan committees had placed their orders in advance but this year, the market is down.
Statue makers claim that they start working on Holika statues or effigies 10 to 15 days ahead of the festival. However, the sale of Holikas are yet to pick up in the city and village areas. Makers, meanwhile, said ” There was more demand for small statues which could be carried easily and buyers appreciate its weight and height while purchasing them.”
Interestingly, many families at old city area have been in the statue making business for over three decades. Apart from Holika, they shape idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi during the Diwali festival and statues of goddess Durga during Navratra.
Krishna, another statue maker said, “This time, we hope to earn better profits compared to the past year.”