Tulsipur (Dang), 26 Pus (10 January): Chitra Prasad Subedi of Tulsipur-1 Chhoteka came to Malaysia after living in Malaysia for nine years. Since he did not earn well in Malaysia either, he decided to do something in his village and started making various idols. Without any training, nor any coaching, he started making idols by looking at pictures. Now he is making idols in various temples.
He has made statues of Shiva, tiger, Ganesh, Nandi, Shivalinga, Damaru, and snakes wrapped in a snake at the Dhaneshwor temple in Tulsipur-1. “It is also the temple of the village, everyone had seen my art,” said Subedi, “After that, I made all the statues for a low fee.”
Not only that, Subedi has also made a Nandi statue in the Devisthan temple of the same ward, a tiger statue in Tulsipur-8 Aswar and a Shivalinga in the Krishna temple of the same ward. He also makes various statues at home in his free time. “There is not much demand from outside, I am still learning,” said Subedi, “I have also made statues at home in my free time.”
He said that although there is sporadic demand within the district, there is still no demand from outside, so there is a need to publicize it. He has been making statues in this way for two years. “Initially, I drew with a pen from pictures, and after some time, I made clay statues,” said Subedi. “After learning a little, I started making statues using cement.”
Subedi said that they charge up to Rs 30,000 for making a statue. He said that the remuneration is also determined according to the size of the statue. He said that when a local person makes a statue like this, it should be promoted from all sides. “I myself am making statues at the local level,” he said, “but still, statues made of stone are brought from India. Everyone should have paid attention to promoting things at the local level.”
Subedi wants to establish himself in this profession. He says that the government should also support him for that. Ward Chairman Hum Kant Sapkota said that he is ready to promote such talents in the ward.
Demand
The demand for idol statues in Nepal is significant due to the country’s rich cultural, religious, and artistic heritage. Here’s an overview of the factors driving this demand:
1. Religious Practices
- Nepal is predominantly Hindu and Buddhist, with many households and temples requiring idol statues for worship and rituals.
- Popular deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Durga, Ganesh, and Buddha are frequently sought after for personal altars and public shrines.
2. Tourism
- Nepal attracts tourists interested in its art and culture. Handcrafted idol statues, especially made from wood, metal, and stone, are popular souvenirs.
- Pilgrims visiting sacred sites often purchase statues as religious artifacts.
3. Cultural and Artistic Value
- Nepal has a long tradition of craftsmanship, especially in creating intricate statues using techniques like lost-wax casting (e.g., for bronze statues).
- Collectors and art enthusiasts globally seek Nepali idol statues for their uniqueness and historical significance.
4. Export Market
- Nepali statues are exported worldwide, especially to countries with significant South Asian diasporas or Buddhist communities.
- Online platforms have increased global visibility and sales of Nepali statues.
5. Festivals and Ceremonies
- Festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and Buddha Jayanti increase the demand for new idols.
- Seasonal religious events often require temporary or permanent statues.
6. Modern Trends
- Customized and contemporary idol designs are becoming popular among younger generations.
- Decorative use of idol statues in homes, offices, and public spaces has also grown.
Challenges and Opportunities:
- Challenges: Rising costs of raw materials, competition from machine-made products, and limited access to global markets.
- Opportunities: Expanding e-commerce platforms, government support for artisans, and increased interest in eco-friendly and handmade products.
