The Art of
Creating The Creator A Research on Plaster of Paris Idols
A Document by Rachana Shete, Medhavi Singh and Ishwari Ambavane
The Art of
Creating The Creator A Research on Plaster of Paris Idols A Document by Rachana Shete, Medhavi Singh and Ishwari Ambavane
This research is supported by NIFT, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Published and designed by Rachana Shete, Medhavi Singh and Ishwari Ambavane. Fashion Communication Department, Nift Gandhinagar GH-0 road, Gandhinagar 382007 Gujarat, India Website: http://www.nift.ac.in All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any other information storage and retrieval system without prior written permission from the publisher, author and subject to copyright laws. Book design by Rachana Shete, Medhavi Singh and Ishwari Ambavane. Edited by Rachana Shete Type set : Helvetica Font Family. First Published in India in April, 2017
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CKNOWLEDGEMENT
A brief vote of thanks to everyone who has helped us make this project a success. We’d like to thank the artisans belonging to Hollywood in GulBai Tekra, Ahmedabad for helping us understand this craft and it’s importance. They have helped us gather immense knowledge about the processes and basics related to Plaster of Paris and it’s uses. We’d also like to thank our faculty, Ms. Hir Vyas for taking care of our Research and Research Methodology, followed by Ms. Mansi Shah, who helpled us with Publication Design.
CONTENTS
NIFT Craft Cluster Initiative
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1. Introduction 3 2. About The Place
5
3. About The People
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4. History of The Craft
15
5. Artisans and Craftsmen
19
6. Materials Used 25 7. Process 29 8. Products 39 9. Our Survey 43 10. Replacement 47 11. Conclusion 55
NIFT Craft Cluster Initiative NIFT with active support from the Ministry of Textiles, Office of Development Commissioner (Handlooms) and Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) has developed and implemented a new Craft Cluster Initiative Program which aims to provide the students with continuous exposure to the handloom and handicraft clusters, thus providing an opportunity for creative innovation and experimentation. Through this initiative, NIFT aims to reach out to the artisans and craftsmen at the grass root level. The artisans and craftsmen involved in the initiative will benefit through knowledge dissemination and exposure to urban markets and design intervention, innovative designs and linkages with new markets. This document is a form of presentation for the promotion of NIFT Craft Cluster Initiative and involves every measure that has been mentioned in the Policy by the Head Quarters. It is a compilation of all the norms mentioned- including the lifestyle of the artisan, to his work, to the production and selling of the handicraft.
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Introduction SO, what exactly is Plaster of Paris? Plaster is one of the oldest known synthetic building materials: it was used by the Egyptians at least 4000 years ago in the construction of the pyramids, and the Greeks were producing decorative plaster work by 500 BC. This book focuses on the concept of figurines that emerged in India as Ganesh Idols, made from this white synthetic powdered material; the powerful resource, the industry of which houses lakhs of poor households by providing them financial stability by the production to these religious idols. It is a compilation of research from one of the major grounds of Plaster of Paris Ganesh Idol Production in India- GulBai Tekra, put forth by Rachana Shete, Medhavi Singh and Ishwari Ambavane- based on the facts, processes, stories from majorly Hollywood locality from GulBai Tekra, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. We bring you: The Art of Creating The Creator.
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About The Place Mota Dada was the one who started this tradition of idol making here. Hollywood is a one hundred and fifty year old slum in Gul Bai Tekra, which
Gulbai Tekra settled some 100 years ago by a group of
is best known for the production of
migrants from the neighboring state of Rajasthan who
Ganpati Idols out of Plaster of Paris.
make murtis (statues) of the elephant God, Ganesh during the three to four months leading to the annual
The story of this town dates back to
Ganesh Festival, called Ganesh Chaturthi, and who take
a century when the art was newly
up street vending or day labour during the rest of the
bought to the town. Traditionally,
year.
agriculture and raring of cattle were the two main jobs of people back
GulBai Tekra has been a remarkable slum nestled in
then, but since this revolutionary
between the busy Gujarat University and C.G. Road that
introduction of Idol making, the
houses almost 10,000 people who are genetically from
financial and occupational map of
Rajasthan but now blended with Gujarat in terms of their
GulBai Tekra changed tremendously.
culture, language, beliefs, lifestyle and profession. 5
GulBai Tekra is situated in Ahmedabad, between the localities Panjara Pol and Sardar Patel Nagar. It is a vast area with some well-developed societies as well as a few slums like Hollywood. In the vicinity of GulBai Tekra are some important colleges, like L.D. College of Engineering, Gujarat University and also National Handloom Corporation, etc. The infamous Amdavad Ni Gufa is also close to GulBai Tekra. The highlighted belt in the image shows the area of Gulbai Tekra, the approximate centre of which is Hollywood.
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About The People All the people are related to the idol making processes in one way or the other. On an average, 400-500 idols can be cast from each mould. After casting, two hours of detailing and finishing is done on those prefinal idols. The people of Hollywood are the lower class Gujarati families, along with
Being a comparatively easier process, the art
some other communities who have
is learnt by the kids at a really early age- like
migrated there from other parts of
making the moulds, casting and painting the
the country, in search of a promising
idols once they are ready. In that way, every
livelihood.
single person of the household is relate to the process in one way or the other.
The
various
communities
majorly
include Gujaratis and Marwaris along
The families are well-aware of the importance of
with some Maharashtrians and Bihari
education and every child in the locality goes to
artisans.
school. 9
This region was always known as Hollywood, however Kannagi Khanna found the reason why. She pointed out the local women posing before famous Hollywood celebrities and clicked them.
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Kannagi made them pose in front of the posters of famous Hollywood actresses like Audrey Hepburn, Drew Barrymore, etc, making the women feel beautiful and prestigious.
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This is what an artisan’s house hold looks like. The daily life of an artisan begins with waking up early and praying to Lord Krishna, and then eventually beginning their work after the morning routines.
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A typical afternoon scene of a local family relaxing in the porch. After lunch, the entire family sits down in the front yard and discusses their daily family issues, shop incomes, etc.
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History Of The Craft The art of making Ganesh idols had always been a part of Maharashtrian Culture due to the immense importance of Ganesh Festival in Western India. Traditionally, idols were made out of mud but the introduction of Plaster of Paris for art reasons, created a market for the plaster idols as well. The easier availabily and the fast drying qualities of the material made it very efficient for the artisans to switch mediums. Idols were first started in Penn, which is a district in South-Western Maharashtra. Initially, the idols were carved out of red soil and then painted with natural colors made from fruits and vegetables. However, gradually the idols would crack and wither. Hence, came the need of a stronger material. Plaster of Paris came into picture and made life a lot easier than before. After the spreading of the handicraft from Penn to other parts of India, GulBai Tekra, too, became a hub for the production of these idols 100 years ago for the rising idols need of Gujarat. Now, GulBai Tekra, especially Hollyood, is one of the biggest Ganesh-Idol producers in India.
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Let us now see how this craft really came to GulBai Tekra and formed a community of artisans. In 1930, Mota Dada moved to Ahmedabad from Jaipur with his family. They traditionally made marble idols, but since Gujarat had no marble reservoirs, he started experimenting with mud and clay, before finally settling on plaster of paris due to the needs of a stronger material. He started making Ganesh Idols. At first, the police thought that he was stealing them from nearby temples due to his precise sculpting skills and amazing painting skills, but then he showed the process and eventually everyone believed. The tradition was carried down to the future generations and that is how Plaster of Paris Ganesh Idols came in to being.
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Artisans And Craftsmen The artisan’s who potentially create
Some people are also accustomed to doing two to three
The Almighty, sadly live a poor life.
jobs in addition with the bare minimum one. The ladies
The work goes on from the morning
work at middle class households as maids, and also in
to evening, when finally the workers
their own houses- for the production of murtis.
call it a day, have their last meal and sleep over whatever is done.
The artisans are skilled with the work that they perform. The casting of the idols doesn’t take much time and is a
The real deal is during the course of
sort-of ready-made process. However, what takes skill is
the months March through August,
carving out the parts which are left out unfinished in the
when the work is at the peak due to
moulds, and also painting the idols.
the arrival of Ganesh Chaturthi, when the maximum sales happen. The
Painting is one of the characteristics which make the
artisans do face a lot of difficulties
idols come to life and these artisans, who mostly acquire
sometimes due to the rains and humid
this skill through blood, are ultimate at doing it.
climates as the plaster of paris might just wither due to moisture. 19
Mani Ben, is a household maid during the day and then works at her own Idol workshop in the evening. She has her family to support so she works in her own house after that. Her
elder
workshop
brother where
owns Mani
a Ben
spends her afternoons working. 20
Manoj Prabha Bhati is a worker who owns his own workshop at Hollywood. He and his uncle, manage the work and also employ more workers when the work load is high. Manoj’s workshop also covers the part where the moulds are made from rubber and silicon. 21
Artisan, Ravi Shah relaxes for the afternoon, sitting in the yard of his own house after a tiring morning. 22
Wife of this same artisan, Mira Ben , smiles for a picture. 23
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Materials Used The moulds are casted from rubber and silicon, which is yet another art. Every detail is carved on a clay idol and then the rubber mould is set after mixing all the chemicals and pouring them over Idol making is not a very elaborate
the murti. After drying off, the mould comes off
process per say, but the materials
and then multiple idols are made by setting POP
required
directly into this newly formed mould.
are
cheap
and
readily
available, which is why the handicraft Other than the moulds, the tools play a very
is produced on a large scale.
important role. The tools include various types The most important material required
of chisels to sharpen or smoothen the edges,
is basic Plaster of Paris- made out of
along with knives and brushes. Paints, too, are
the key component Gypsum, which is
an important material for the post-production
majorly manufactured from Kolkata,
process of the idols.
Banglore, Pradesh.
Rajasthan
and
Andra We’ll take a look at the materials during process. 25
Tools for carving and refining the idols after they are removed from the moulds. Every part is carefully chiseled and smoothened, in order to achieve perfection.
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Moulds used for casting the idols. These moulds are made out of rubber and silicon, are light weight and require support once Plaster of Paris is set inside them.
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Process The process of making the beautiful idols is not very difficult, but requires precision. The best part is, roughly about twenty to twenty five idols can be made in a day’s time, as plaster of paris takes barely thirty to firty minutes to dry off and harden up. Even though making the idols is comparitively easy, the idols are a challenge to produce as the basic preparation of the POP mixture requires great care. Let us take a closer look towards the process step by step, first in short and then elaborately1. Two parts of plaster of paris are mixed with one part of water. 2. The mixture is poured in the rubber moulds and tied around the edges in order to keep the mould jam-packed. 3. Once the mixture is dried up, the moulds are opened and the idol is made. 4. The idol is then polished and made perfect with every crevice smoothened. 5. The idols are then painted with acrylics and oil paints and dried.
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One part of water is mixed with two parts of POP. A thick paste like mixture is achieved which is ready to be casted in the moulds. 30
These are the moulds before being set with the mixture. They are cleaned with water, when not under use so that the extra POP washes out giving desired edges.
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The thick mixture is poured in the moulds and is set for adequate amount of time. The moulds are fixed within supports so that the mixture doesn’t drip off.
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After drying, the moulds are opened with utmost care and the idol is released. The excessive powder is brushed off with a small flat brush so that the uncarved parts are vsible and ready to be worked on.
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After the brushing, the small parts
are
perfected
with
chisels and the detailed idol is released. 34
A casted Ganpati idol, ready to be painted. 35
A typical workshop of the Idols. Large scale idols are placed in the front yards to dry and almost every part of the process takes place outside the houses.
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The Idols are arranged according to poses, sizes and different types. These idols are ready to be painted and sold.
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8
Products Plaster of Paris is used for many other
of fibreglass or thermoplastics. Some sculptors work
purposes, as well. Idols are the most
directly in plaster of paris, as the speed at which the
famous product that is sold in India
plaster sets gives the work a sense of immediacy and
due to it’s religious values.
enables the sculptor to achieve the original idea quickly. In medieval and Renaissance times, gesso (usually
But Plaster of Paris is a very
made of plaster of paris mixed with glue) was applied
commercial product. It is used for
to wood panels, plaster, stone, or canvas to provide the
production of many other articles, like
ground for tempera and oil painting.
false ceilings and other interior decor items as well as for ornamentation of
Plaster of Paris finds great use in forensics in foot printing
displays.
and sample evidence generation.
It is also used in medicine to make
All in all it is a very efficient material.
plaster casts to immobilize broken bones
while
they
heal,
though
some orthopedic casts are made 39
In Hollywood, apart from Ganesh Idols, the artisans also make other idols- consisiting of Shiva, Parvati, Mata, Krishna, etc. Apart from idols, daily use articles like flower vases, decorative panels and abstract figurines. They even considered custom orders and would make a mould according to our need. The price of the mould is around Rs. 1500. for a not so huge sculpture. Getting a medium size statue without customization is Rs. 800. The main is Ganesha obviously but they make various other idols of God figures and even small statues of pilgrimage places, flower pots, cultural symbols.
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Other Plaster of Paris articles are also made and sold in Hollywood. They have a great market audience too. 41
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Our Survey As a part of our research, we
Maximum people are aware of this material due to the
conducted a survey through Google
use of POP in Idol making. This was a big head point,
Forms and asked the people a few
as it shows that the maximum income of POP artisans is
basic questions regarding the uses
due to Idols, then gradually followed by recreational and
and beliefs about plaster of paris.
decorative purposes, hospitals, etc.
The survey inferred that the use of
It was also surprising to note that most of the audience
plaster of paris was introduced to
liked the POP articles due to the craftsmanship that
maximum people during the student
the carving took, followed by the feel and texture
life and the use reduced as the
(smoothness of the material), and then the forms and
age grows up. Everyone is aware
motifs that it can be cast into.
of the material, it’s effects and it’s applications, and are willing to use
Our audience also seemed to like medium sized POP
this as a material in home and interior
articles in their purest form, i.e. white colors, and decent
decor.
forms and motifs. 43
Professions of the Audience
Awareness of Plaster of Paris
Usage by The Audience
The three pie charts tell us about the profession and awareness of the users along with the usage of Plaster of Paris. 44
Knowing the material, Plaster of Paris Introduced in School Read on Print Medium The Internet Came Across A Workshop Cultural Purposes Medical Purposes Others
Most-Liked Features of Plaster of Paris Color Feel or Texture Forms and Motifs Cultural or Religious Importance Craftsmanship Others
Visibility of Plaster of Paris Facades Religious Idols Recreation or Decoration Advertisement Window Displays Hospitals Others
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Replacement During the conducted survey, we concluded that about 50 percent of the audience believe that there is a replacement for plaster of paris. As a part of this book, we’d also like to throw light upon the growing need to find a suitable alternative for Plaster of Paris. Since POP is a hazardous material, the artisans often face a threat to their health, as the particles of POP can cause chronic diseases. The customers who buy plaster of paris, too, pose a threat to the environment as Ganesh Festival usually ends with the immersion of the idols in water bodies, which in return causes issues to underwater life. Hence, customers now prefer to buy idols made out of clay. Shadu Mati, or clay is a kind of eco-friendly mud and doesn’t cause any harm to the marine life. The concept of this clay has already seeped in through the people in Hollywood, and along with POP idols, they also produce clay idols now. The texture achieved is very similar to that of Plaster of Paris, except the fact that clay idols are soluble in water and deform under heavy moisture easily. Although POP is an efficient material, it could turn out to be extremely harmful for human beings. 47
First, the clay is mixed with water and a thick mixture is obtained, which is mouldable.
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The mixture is now fixed inside the moulds which are made out of a hard material (mostly plaster of paris), which is carved with every intricate detail of the idol.
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The front and the back part are placed together, with a hollow space between the two cases. 50
The ends of the two cases are fixed with more clay so as to get a smooth edge. 51
The mould is opened and the details are brushed on the edges to fix the two halves together. 52
The final Idol is made. In a similar way, other objects can also be made out of clay. 53
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Conclusion
They create The Creator, and still, they live on the streets of a slum. They do not sit and worry about Plaster of Paris is a very convenient
their health, but truly work with a hazardous
material, obtained by mixing Gypsum
material that could gradually cause deaths. But,
and water in the ratio 2:1 respectively.
they never complain and if you happen to meet
A lot of industries have been widely
them, a smile will always adorn their lips.
dependent on the POP manufacturing due to the fact that it is a hard and
To conclude this documentary research of
sturdy material- taking up a large
the Idol-making tycoons, we’d like to throw a
amount of weight and yet, being light.
light upon the fact that these skilled artisans expect very less from their lives. Selling true
Although POP has it’s own negatives
crafstmanship is all they have and cherish.
and positives, we met a community that entirely depends on earning
If ever you’re around the city of Ahmedabad, do
through making as simple a thing as
make it a point to visit this area, where people
an Idol.
make The God, and The God makes the People. 55
GLOSSARY Pg. 5
Pg. 25
Murthi- n. Statues
Chisels- n. a long-bladed hand tool with a bevelled
Chaturthi- Day. This day is observed in every Lunar
cutting edge and a handle.
month of Hindu calendar month on the fourth day.
Pg. 29
Angaraki Sankashti Chaturthi is considered highly
Crevice- n. a narrow opening or fissure, especially
important among all Sankashti Chaturthi days.
in a rock or wall.
Pg. 9
Pg. 39
Marwari- n. a native inhabitant of Rajasthan, India.
Gesso- n. a hard compound of plaster of Paris or
Bihari- n. native community of Bihar, India.
whiting in glue, used in sculpture or as a base for
Casting- n. an object made by pouring material into
gilding or painting on wood.
a mould.
Pg. 55
Pg. 15
Gypsum- n. a soft white or grey mineral consisting
Hub- n. a centre of activity,region or network.
of hydrated calcium sulphate.
Pg. 21 Moulds- n. a hollow container used to give shape to molten or hot liquid material when it cools and hardens.
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REFERENCES 1. “About The Place”, Page 5,
www.kyoorius.com/2015/04/the-designer-gulbai-tekra 2. “About The People”, Page 9
www.deccanherald.com/people-of-gulbai-tekra 3. “About The People”, Page 10 and 11,
www. thebigindianpicture.com/2013/07/the-leading-ladies-of-gulbai-tekra/ 4. “Artists and Craftsmen”, Page 19
www. turjoychowdhury.wordpress.com/2014/06/20/bawre-of-gulbai-tekra/
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God Gave Us Life, He shall Take it away soon. We thought until then, Let’s make it count up to. We Picked Up Our Chisels And sharpened Our Tools, His Holy hand on our heads, We stroke the idols to perfect the pieces. And hence, began The Art of Creating The Creator.
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