Latest news with #Ganeshas
News18
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- News18
Ganpati Goes Green: How Gemstone Idols Offer An Elegant, Eco-Conscious Alternative
As more people embrace mindful living, gemstone Ganeshas are emerging as symbols of meaningful tradition and lasting beauty As conversations around sustainability grow louder, Indian festivals are slowly but surely evolving to reflect a deeper respect for the planet. One of the most beautiful examples of this shift is the growing inclination towards gemstone Ganpati idols, an elegant, lasting, and eco-conscious alternative to traditional clay or Plaster of Paris versions. 'Unlike idols that are immersed and dissolve, often polluting water bodies, gemstone idols are meant to be cherished year after year," says Rhea Poddar Loyalka, Gemologist. 'Carved from natural stones like rose quartz, carnelian, tiger's eye, or jasper, they bring a sense of magnificence to the devotion. These idols don't just mark a celebration; they become part of a family's story." For many devotees, this transformation is profound the Ganpati idol moves from being a festive centerpiece to becoming a sacred heirloom, lovingly passed down through generations. 'In a world where so much is temporary, that sense of continuity is powerful," adds Rhea. 'It's a way of preserving not just tradition, but memory. Going green doesn't mean letting go of what we love. It means reimagining it with care for the Earth, for future generations, and for the soul of the festival itself." The appeal of gemstone Ganeshas lies not only in their permanence but also in their ability to merge spirituality with artistry. Cherry Sahni, Co-founder & Creative Head, Diamondtree, sees them as a perfect example of how sustainability can shine alongside tradition. 'Choosing a Ganesha idol carved from natural gemstones is not just an eco-conscious decision, it's a celebration of beauty, intention, and lasting devotion," she says. According to Cherry, gemstones like rose quartz, jade, amethyst, tiger's eye, or coral carry their own unique energies from love and clarity to abundance and protection allowing devotees to select or customise an idol that mirrors their personal connection with Lord Ganesha. 'Many of these gemstone idols can also be adorned or styled with subtle embellishments and even accents of natural diamonds, adding a layer of refined luxury and personal expression to the divine," she notes. Unlike traditional clay idols that must be immersed at the end of the festival, gemstone idols are timeless keepsakes. 'After the festivities, they can be gracefully placed in your home as part of a sacred corner, a décor accent, or even a symbolic centrepiece continuing to bless your space with presence and meaning," says Cherry. As more people embrace mindful living, gemstone Ganeshas are emerging as symbols of meaningful tradition and lasting beauty a gentle step toward a vision where devotion, sustainability, and artistry come together for a better tomorrow. view comments First Published: August 10, 2025, 11:36 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
08-08-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Cost factor dampens demand for eco-friendly festivity items
BENGALURU: Now you can protect Earth by buying responsibly. Seed rakhis, clay-seed-embedded Ganesha idols and seed-based Indian flags offer you options, but these come with a higher price tag. Companies, consumers, waste management experts and environmentalists demand the Union and state governments to reduce GST on eco-friendly products, that are currently taxed at 15-18% GST, in order to increase their demand. Sakshi K, an employee at a real-estate firm, said, as a part of the CSR initiative, her company is promoting purchase of eco-friendly rakhis and Ganeshas. 'I am not keen to buy an eco-friendly rakhi because each one costs me Rs 110 to Rs 200, while a normal rakhi is around Rs 50 to Rs 80. Same is the case with Ganesha idols,' she said. Rohini B, a home-maker with two sons and two brothers, said, 'My sons' school is encouraging eco-friendly celebrations. It is a good initiative. But it should also be affordable. Spending Rs 150 on each rakhi and other items will turn out to be costly affair.' Shobha Rander, from Satatyug, said there is a gradual demand for eco-friendly rakhi. Admitting to the high cost, she said this is because the items are hand-made and attract GST as they are billed. Another eco-friendly items dealer said many dealers of plastic items do not maintain bills, tax is less and hence are affordable. This is not the case with eco-friendly items. A bamboo toothbrush has 18% GST, steel straws draw 15% GST, clayeco-friendly idols have 18% and clay alone has 10-12% GST. This is deterring consumers, even though they are interested. Roshan Ray, founder, Seed Paper India, said demand for seedbased items, including pens, pencils and flags is rising year-on-year. He said demand is not just rising from corporates and hotels, but also individuals. The cost is not much a hindrance as each flag comes with a pot-kit to plant, adhering to Indian Flag Code. Shanti Tummala, member, Solid Waste Management Round Table, said the cost factor can be addressed if awareness and demand increase. If items are generated in bulk, then cost will come down. The government should also pay attention as it will help improve carbon credit and ensure environment sustainability. Eco-friendly items not just address waste management, but also encourage artisans and rural employment
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Report: The Purusha Prakriti exhibition, Ahmedabad
Devin Gawarvala's two-year-old venue in Ahmedabad, Bespoke Art Gallery, is currently hosting the ambitious Purusha Prakriti art exhibition curated by Uma Nair. Dedicated to artist Himmat Shah, who died in March this year – Head from his London series occupies a place of honour at the entrance of the gallery -- the works on display, according to the curatorial note, 'symbolise the dual principles of nature and consciousness'. Ankon Mitra's A Fleeting Moment of Infinite Bliss and Ram Kumar Manna's Ganeshas (Saurabh Sharma) Visitors to the gallery are sure to be captivated by Simon Max Bannister's Falcon, a bronze-and-stone-sculpture that strangely recalls Helen Macdonald's memoir H Is for Hawk, in the way it exudes both grace and grief alongside a love for birds. Curator Uma Nair (Saurabh Sharma) Three stoneware works by Keshari Nandan Kumar, (Nair reveals the younger artist 'happens to be a great favourite of Shah') titled Bapu, Animal and Owl appear to be inspired by Pablo Picasso. Ahmedabad-based Karl Antao's wooden art forms, Symphony of Breathes and Symphony of Phases, too hark back to Picasso. Nair says their visual grammar 'reminded me of the Africans', adding that one mustn't forget that 'Picasso first studied African art to get into modern art'. Sudip Roy's luminous water colours, Faith and Conversations, celebrate the richness of Banaras. Another piece on the city of death that is absolutely stunning is an untitled Manu Parekh from 1997 that was exclusively for this collection. Nilesh Vede's giant artwork, Enlightenment, Nair notes, is typical 'Purusha Prakriti'. The moon, in this work, she says, belongs to everyone, effusively reminiscent of vintage Bollywood songs. At the Bespoke Art Gallery with Harsh Durugadda's yellow Topo Sculpturein the foreground (Saurabh Sharma) Two pieces from Muzaffar Ali's Calligraphy series recalled, for this viewer at least, Orhan Pamuk's line that 'From tiny experiences we build cathedrals'. Both works demonstrate how several layers of meaning can be hidden beneath a work of art for those willing to engage with it. Gazing at these works, the viewer feels compelled to think about everything from religion, media and history to contemporary politics and modern life. Ankon Mitra's pieces are unmissable. A Fleeting Moment of Infinite Bliss is suspended from the ceiling while The Framed Frame, 'a frame within a frame', that decorates a gallery wall challenges the viewer's perception. Occupying the central spot of the exhibition space is Dhananjay Singh's untitled artwork, which can easily be called The Tree of Life. However, in not naming this tree made of steel wires, which so effortlessly informs viewers of Singh's deep interest in nature and his understanding of botany, he allows art enthusiasts to wonder about the inspiration behind this work. 'Singh has been doing trees for more than 25 years,' states Nair who pointing to the work's microscopic detailing. From nature to divinity is but a small leap and Ram Kumar Manna's two terracotta Ganeshas present the god's fun avatar while also conveying his Vighnaharta aspect – the One who removes obstacles. Rini Dhumal's love for the 'Shakti image' is reflected in her Devi. Poonam Bhatnagar's Buddha and Meerabai convey both the calming meditative vibe of Buddhism and the absolute surrender of Bhakti respectively. Padma Shri-awardee Bhajju Shyam's three artworks demonstrate his control over his craft. The pen on paper work entitled Vriksha 1 and the other two untitled acrylics on canvas show his unmatched ability to centralises the power of nature. The marble eye in Arzan Khambatta's bronze work, Mustang Sally, immediately arrests the viewer's attention. Subrat Kumar Behera's Gandhi challenges the generally-held perception of the Mahatma. Never have his eyes looked as ferocious as they do here. At the bottom are his famous three monkeys that allude to his principles. The bare cloth that covers Gandhi's upper body rises in the shape of wings making the viewer wonder if they, perhaps, signal the work's satirical nature. Harsh Durugadda's yellow Topo Sculpture, Gillie and Marc's They Like Doing Things Differently and Jesús Curia's Construction I signal a queering of nature. Or perhaps they're trying to challenge the conventional understanding and appreciation of nature in fixed categories. The last two works celebrate nature in all its complexity and do not separate desire into normative and non-normative terms as they usually are in India, which is largely a culture hinged on conformity. Adding much joy throughout the exhibition are KG Subramanyan's six untitled works, all of which commemorate natural beauty in both bare strokes and dense forms. They stand out from the rest in a way only trademark Subramanyan pieces can. Gillie and Marc's They Like Doing Things Differently (Saurabh Sharma) Clearly the themes of influence, confluence and connection pulse through the exhibition that includes the work of artists from across generations and geographies who all seem to engage with ideas of the interdependence between 'man and nature'. The exhibition which began in April and will go on until the end of June also coincided with Earth Month making the point that what perhaps really unites humans is their innate and often unconscious desire to (re)produce nature in their own works of art. 'Purusha Prakriti' is on view till 30 June 2025. Saurabh Sharma is a Delhi-based writer and freelance journalist. They can be found on Instagram/X: @writerly_life.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Time of India
Criminal case to be filed against dealer of PoP Ganesha idols
Dharwad: Officials from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board and the revenue department raided a workshop at Garag village in Dharwad taluk on Monday evening and seized 184 Ganesha idols made using plaster of Paris (PoP). The making of Ganesha idols using PoP and their installation has been banned on environmental grounds, and the district administration has kept a watch on those who make PoP idols. Deputy commissioner Divya Prabhu stated that directions have been issued to file a criminal case against the owner under the Environmental Pollution Control Act. You Can Also Check: Hubballi AQI | Weather in Hubballi | Bank Holidays in Hubballi | Public Holidays in Hubballi After getting a tip-off, a special team comprising personnel from the Pollution Control Board, revenue department, gram panchayat, and police department raided the workshop owned by one Vinayak Kalappa Pattar and seized the idols that were painted using chemicals, the DC said. During the raid, around 184 PoP Ganesha idols, large, medium, and small-sized, were found being prepared and painted with chemical coats at the premises owned by Vinayak Kalappa Pattaar in Garag village. The team seized 75 idols in Shivaji Colony and 109 idols in Sangolli Rayanna Colony. It has come to light that Pattaar is a wholesale and retail dealer of POP idols. He reportedly admitted during the inquiry that the idols were brought from Kolhapur in Maharashtra. The district police superintendent has been instructed to conduct a detailed investigation, register a case, and initiate legal action. The seized POP idols were transported in a truck, a tipper, and a tractor to Kalabhavan for safe storage. The DC said further action will be taken according to the rules in the coming days. DC appeals to use clay Ganeshas Clay Ganesha idols are eco-friendly and ideal for worship. For the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi , the public and festival committees are urged to use clay idols instead of POP idols, said DC Divya. POP idols do not dissolve in water and cause pollution to soil, water, and water sources, she added. Task forces activated With the Ganesha festival approaching, inter-departmental coordination meetings have been held, and task forces at the district, taluk, and village levels are being activated. Prohibited POP idols found through public information, surprise inspections, and raids will be seized. The DC also said that officials have been directed to begin public awareness campaigns from now on.
New Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
What the space of dancer Vaswati Misra's home says about the rhythms of the house
In a four-storey building in south Delhi, there is an artiste on every floor. Each of them has his or her 'territory', individual practice rooms with presiding deities and different peak hours of introspection and creativity. But there is also a coming together for creative exploration, experimentation, and a shared life of the arts. Living together in the same space works, not because they are family, but because they are a family of artistes. This is the home of Kathak gurus Vaswati Misra and her elder sister Saswati Sen, who famously danced the kathak before Amjad Khan's Wajed Ali Shah in Satyajit Ray's Shatranj ke Khilari. Vaswati and her husband, Pandit Krishan Mohan Misra, son of Shambhu Maharaj, who brought Kathak to Delhi, and their daughter and son-in-law occupy two floors. Saswati's space is connected to her sister's floor by a beautiful wooden staircase, which starts from a cosy sit-in area separated from her living room by an open cabinet on which sit rows of Ganeshas. The Ganesha idol –the right patron saint for an artiste's home –can, in fact, be seen all over the house, in various moods and materials. 'Ganesha is a dancer and he is the player of the pakhawaj,' reminds Vaswati, as one's eyes moves from Ganeshas over and above console tables and on Rajasthani inlay-work side-tables to Ganeshas as wall decorations, a marble-turbaned Ganesha, and finally a baby Ganesha in black stone that sits hugging a shivalinga before a patch of green on the terrace before which we pause. 'It is one of my favourite spots in the house to just be, to think, or when I am working on a composition,' says Vaswati, as she and her husband—he is also the first cousin of Birju Maharaj—accompany us to the terrace. Early mornings are spent here with birdsong in the company of squirrels.
