Sudhakar Rao of Mannagudda, a member of the late Mohan Rao’s legendary idol-making family. Their family has been making Ganapathi idols for more than 90 years. Currently, the tradition is being carried forward by Prabhakar Rao, Sudhakar Rao, Ramachandra Rao, Mahesha Rao, and Ankush from the fourth generation.
The entire family has been involved in the idol-making process, and they do it with passion, putting profit aside. As per Prabhakar Rao, his family makes idols out of pure clay rather than Plaster of Paris. They don’t design Mumbai Ganesha models for the same reason, as it necessitates the usage of Plaster of Paris and molds. Sanghaniketan, NMPT, Horticulture Department, Fisheries university, KMF, and MCF are some of the organizations for whom they create idols. 230 orders for Ganesha idols were received this year. A Ganesha idol with a turban placed on his head sticks out among the little and large Ganesha idols produced by the Raos. The increase of Covid-19 cases in Dakshina Kannada hasn’t slowed the city’s thirst for Ganesha statues.
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