PoP Bullock Idols Hit Biz of Clay Idol Makers

Officials Seize 185 PoP Ganesha Idols; Coordination Meeting of Depts Soon

- Mallikarjun Hiremath @Dharwad

CLAY idol makers across North Karnataka have suffered major losses after a sudden influx of loads of Plaster of Paris (PoP) bullock idols from Maharashtra flooded local markets. In districts like Koppal, Vijayanagara, and Bagalkot, many buyers unknowingly purchased cheaper PoP idols, impacting the earnings of local artisans who traditionally see good business during this season.

The occasion of Mannetina Amavasya, observed primarily in Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, sees farmers symbolically worship their bullocks and soil, which play an important role in farming. The clay idol makers usually have a good earnings this time. But this year, the sudden entry of PoP idols hit the business of thousands of clay idol makers.

In Koppal, Vijayanagar and other districts, clay idols were available at Rs 200 per pair, while PoP idols were being sold for as little as Rs 120. Many people, in their eagerness to celebrate, purchased the cheaper PoP idols, leaving the clay idol makers with significant losses.