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Artistic Ganesha idols in different materials are gems for the collector’s eye. But Mohan Kumar Dodecha, a profound artist from Mulund has found out a new base medium to create unique designs of Ganesha for the past 45 years
Dr Asha Mandpe
Ganesha, the lord of wisdom has inspired umpteen artists who use innovative ideas to shape up the lord in different media. Artists find a challenge in shaping Lord Ganesha’s large belly, swinging ears and bedecked elephant head in different media.
Mohan Kumar Dodecha, an intense artist from Mulund is completely besotted by the potbellied God and finds him in every material he comes across. A trained commercial artist, Mohan Kumar uses a different base medium and shape to bring the lord alive in his divine beauty.
“The endeavour started in 1961 when I sketched the lord in Rangoli and at the same time carved an artistic image of Ganesha in wood. I was just 15 and had no money to photograph my debutant creation. But my generous neighbour appreciated my effort and gifted me the required sum. My family was proud of my art and encouraged me to continue this venture,” reminisces Mohan Kumar.
A businessman by profession, Mohan Kumar is always in search of a new medium and design to create an innovative image of Ganesha. The variety of base materials he used for Ganesha images is amazing. “I have used brass, wood, metal (Panchadhatu), clay, acrylic, silver, marble, pebbles, key, thread, paper mache, Meenakari, aluminum, electric wire, wool, pearls, net, tinted glass, crape paper and other materials to create the image of the lord,” Mohan Kumar informs.
Mulund residents know Mohan Kumar for his sago-Ganesha. For the past 45 years he has been making a 6’x6’ Ganesha picture by meticulously sticking each grain of sago (sabudana). “We use 40 kg sago and make 275 shades of colours to ma ke this picture. For 15 days my friends Dayaram Hindisona and Bhupesh Doshi and myself work from 9 am to 12 pm.
“I’m a commercial artist and enjoy this work heartily. It needs lots of patience and total devotion to complete this work. Many artists approached us but couldn’t succeed,” Doshi pointed out.
For one- month Mohan kumar, his brother Meghjibhai and their entire family is engrossed in this endeavour. The sago-Ganesha exhibition starts from Bhadrapad Ekadashi and goes on for 15 days. The exhibition is open to all. This year, Mulund residents can visit the exhibition from September 14 to 25.
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