Clay Is King: Chitar Oli Junks PoP, Shapes Bappa With Tradition, Trust

Time of India

2 days ago

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Nagpur: In the narrow lanes of Chitar Oli in the old city area of Mahal, the tradition of idol-making doesn't just survive, it breathes through clay, creativity and craftsmanship.
Here, generations of idol-makers continue to shape Ganesh idols with the same care and conviction their ancestors once did.
Crafting a Ganesh idol isn't seasonal job but a way of life for these artisans. Passed down through generations, the art form has remained deeply rooted despite changing times. And while others may turn to faster and easier methods, these artisans stay committed to natural materials and patient workmanship.
One such veteran artisan is Deepak Inglay, who has spent over five decades in the craft. He shares that buying a Ganesh idol isn't like buying marble, where the price is determined by its size. "Instead, it's an art shaped by the hard work and skill of the maker. The value comes not just from how big the idol is, but from the effort poured into its design and detail. This year, a 20-feet Ganesh murti will be made at Gandhi Putla, commissioned by Prakash Gajbhiye.
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It will be one of the biggest in the city, and completely eco-friendly," he says.
Kedar Ingle, a seasoned idol-maker, expressed concern over the growing reliance on Plaster of Paris (POP) idols. He believes many newer entrants don't understand the traditional process and turn to PoP for convenience. "They skip the fundamentals like properly cleaning the clay and focus only on surface finishing, but if the clay isn't prepared well, the idol won't come out right," he says.
"PoP doesn't dissolve properly and causes environmental harm," says Nitin Ingle, an idol-maker who often recreates client references using only natural clay. "That's why we've decided never to use PoP. Our focus is on natural materials, it's better for both the environment and the idol," he says.
In a nearby lane, Raju Darlinge works on a partially finished idol in a shaded workshop. "This isn't just about shaping clay, it's about protecting something cultural and sacred," he says.
Darlinge relies on traditional clay methods, avoiding POP entirely. The clay used is sourced from Bhandara and nearby agricultural lands. Cleaning and preparing this clay is considered a vital part of the process, something that can't be overlooked.
Prices for the idols vary, typically ranging from Rs5,000 to Rs50,000, depending on the intricacy of the design.
Even during the off-season, the work doesn't stop. Many artisans design idols for the next year or shift to fibreglass models for exhibitions or orders.
In a world that often prizes speed over skill, the artisans of Chitar Oli stand firm, preserving an art form that values patience, practice and purity. As the state leans toward more sustainable celebrations, their work serves as a quiet but powerful reminder that tradition, when nurtured with dedication, can still shape the future.
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