MUMBAI: Nondescript lanes in Parel, Matunga and Dharavi contain charming idols self-funded by enterprising working class youth.Swapnakshay, AndheriPresident Devendra Amberkar says their Model Town mandal near Four Bungalows has installed a 9.5-ft paper pulp Ganesh by Vishal Ranjankar. Art director Sumit Patil and lighting designer Shital Talpade have made ‘Verses of the Forest’ showing a truck loaded with timber bearing bird nests. Birds and animals are pursuing the truck in a desperate attempt to save their homes. A tree is upon an ICU bed in hospital receiving water and fertiliser as saline drip. A four-minute video for devotees highlights environmental protection.Hukmil Lane, Lower ParelOne of the oldest in Lower Parel, this 1934 mandal was started by mill workers from Podar Mill and Apollo Mill, says spokesman Aditya Bachankar. In 1992, Hukmil Lane carved an 18-ft idol from bananas, followed by musical instruments, puja material and coconuts. This year moortikar Arun Datte’s unique balancing Ganesh is drawing large crowds to the lane.Labour Camp Cha Sukhkarta, MatungaMandal president Suraj Lot says this is the first time that a 32 ft tall Ganesh moorti has arrived in Matunga Labour Camp. It is also the first time that a hydraulic ‘prabhaval’ (backdrop) is being used. The enterprising locality has several charming Ganpatis. Among them is the Sukhkarta which is cast in the form of Ram Avtar. Elements of the Ramayan highlight this theme, including its writer sage Valmiki and Hanuman who is a main character in the text. Moortikar Aniket Shewale has crafted the idol.Dharavi SharksIn 2003, 13-year-old Neelesh, later called Nilu Anna, installed a 1.5-ft Ganpati idol, marking the genesis of Om Sai Mitra Mandal or Dharavi Sharks. Organiser Martin Nadar says 40 families self-fund the celebration at Damber Compound behind Royal City School. The 5.5 ft Bappa crafted by moortikar Vinayak from Pratiksha Nagar has to pass through a narrow 3.5 ft lane. The Sharks hold their breath, carefully coordinate every movement, and heave a sigh of relief as the idol navigates its way successfully.Ganesh Mandircha Raja, VikhroliLong lines are unfolding near Kabutarkhana in Tagore Nagar 1 as devotees seek glimpse of the Ganesh Mandircha Raja. “Our moorti has been designed in Mahadev avatar in our 13th year,” says mandal head Sanket Kate. Co-organiser Raj Nikam says they distribute food to 2,500 people. Moortikar Mitesh Pevekar carved the idol while Harishchandra Gad designed the theme. The decoration is by mandal members themselves.
