HYDERABAD: Traditional clay idol makers in the state are facing a difficult festive season as cheaper Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols from Maharashtra dominate markets across Telangana. While traders selling PoP idols report strong sales, local clay idol artisans say their customer base has fallen sharply, with some claiming they now have barely 10-15% of their usual buyers.
PoP idols are preferred for their smooth finish, brighter colours and lower prices, sources said, adding that most idols reaching Telangana are sourced from Solapur.
Traders in Dhoolpet, Begum Bazaar and Uppal said PoP idols were significantly outselling clay ones, mainly because of the price difference. A four-foot idol from Solapur costs around Rs 3,500, compared with about Rs 5,000 for a clay idol of the same size.
“A four-foot Solapur idol costs around Rs 3,500, while a clay idol of the same size goes up to Rs 5,000. Buyers want something attractive, and PoP gives that finish. This year, sellers of Solapur idols are making profits, while local idol makers are suffering huge losses,” said Kailash Singh, an idol maker from Dhoolpet.
For artisans who have traditionally depended on Ganesh Chaturthi sales, the shift has brought mounting financial pressure. “Our families have been making clay idols for three generations, but sales are falling every year. We hardly get 10%-15% of buyers now. We cannot match the finish of PoP idols, but at least ours don’t pollute the lakes,” he said.
The concerns over the environmental impact of PoP idols, particularly on Hyderabad’s lakes, have also been in focus. Environmentalists estimate that nearly 99% of idols currently sold in markets are made of PoP, despite the state government’s ban on their use.
Ban without enforcement useless: Environmentalist
Environmentalist Prof Purshotham Reddy said the problem was one of enforcement. “If the state is serious about protecting Hyderabad’s lakes, the first step is to stop the transport of Solapur idols into Telangana. These idols are crossing state borders by the truckload, and nobody checks them. A ban without enforcement is meaningless,” he told TNIE.
He said the annual clean-up after immersion addressed only the consequences. “Every year, crores are spent after immersion to break idols and remove debris. That is not a solution. Prevention means stopping PoP idols before they reach the lakes,” he said.
Environmental experts warn that the damage from PoP extends beyond immersion day. Unlike clay, PoP does not dissolve easily and can settle as powder on the bed of water bodies, affecting aquatic ecosystems.
“PoP does not dissolve like clay. It only breaks down into powder, forming a layer at the bottom of lakes that suffocates aquatic life,” Prof Purushottam said, adding that paints used on idols could worsen the problem, as some contain heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium that can contaminate water, fish and groundwater and eventually enter the food chain.
