Goa's Clay Idol Push Revives Artisans’ Craft

As Ganesh Chaturthi approaches on August 27, 2025, the Goa government’s subsidy scheme for clay idol makers is breathing new life into the state’s traditional artisans, promoting eco-friendly practices while preserving a centuries-old craft. With a strict ban on Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols, the initiative supports artisans in creating biodegradable clay idols, addressing both environmental concerns and cultural heritage.

The subsidy scheme, managed by the Goa Handicrafts, Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd. (GHRSSIDC), offers artisans Rs 200 per clay idol for up to 250 idols, totaling a potential Rs 50,000 per artisan. Damodar Morajkar, GHRSSIDC’s managing director, told PTI Videos that the program aims to sustain traditional craftsmanship while mitigating the environmental harm caused by PoP idols, which fail to dissolve during immersions and pollute water bodies. “Clay idols dissolve easily, returning to nature without harm,” Morajkar emphasized.

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The Pramod Sawant-led government has ramped up promotion of the scheme, which has seen 450 artisans register this year. The subsidy, doubled from Rs 100 to Rs 200 over the past two years to account for inflation, also facilitates the purchase of clay-mixing machines, streamlining the labor-intensive process of preparing raw materials. These machines, known as pugmills, allow artisans to work more efficiently, reducing physical strain and production time.

For artisans like the Harmalkar brothers from Chimbel village near Panaji, the scheme is a lifeline. Ramesh Harmalkar, a 50-year veteran of idol-making, explained that the financial aid and access to clay-mixing machines have eased their workload and stabilized idol prices. “Without the subsidy, we’d have to raise prices to cover rising raw material costs,” he said. The brothers craft idols ranging from Rs 1,500 for smaller pieces to Rs 50,000 for larger, intricately designed ones, catering to both household and public installations.

Sunil Harmalkar, who produces 400-500 idols each season, starts work three months in advance, soaking clay in rainwater before mixing it in a pugmill. “The machine speeds up the process, making it easier to meet demand,” he noted. In Mayem village, Rupesh Shet and his family, including his wife and son, begin sculpting in June, producing around 800 idols based on pre-orders. “The subsidy helps us afford quality clay, and we urge everyone to choose mud idols to protect the environment,” Shet said, highlighting the eco-friendly ethos of returning “mud to mud” during visarjan.

The scheme also counters challenges like rising clay costs and labor shortages, which have threatened the craft’s survival. Artisans across talukas like Pernem, Bicholim, and Ponda supply thousands of idols to GHRSSIDC emporiums, with prices starting at Rs 300 for one-foot idols. The government’s push, coupled with stricter enforcement against PoP idols by the Goa State Pollution Control Board, is fostering a sustainable Ganesh Chaturthi, ensuring artisans’ traditions thrive for generations.

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