Shravan is the beginning of festivals and a very bright and pleasant time in India. Ganesh Chaturthi being one of the prime festivals of Maharashtra, has its own distinct charm. Bal Gangadhar Tilak started the concept of ‘Saarvajanik Ganeshotsav’ (public celebration) and it was meant to be a lot different than what it is today.

I remember participating in a lot of drawing, singing, art competitions in our society in the Ganeshotsav as a kid. The memories of visiting the auspicious mandal’s dekhāve (art installations) is still fresh in my mind. Pune’s Ganesh miravnuk is a phenomenon and people come to visit it from all over the world.

It is just a bit sad to see a few obstructive aspects joining the celebrations today like immensely loud speakers playing irrelevant songs on the DJ and huge idols of non-biodegradable materials being submerged in the rivers. A lot of awareness is being spread about this and I really wish all of us can do our part in keeping this festival pure and safe as it is meant to be.

We make home-clay Ganesh idol since the past couple of years and it is an amazing feeling!

The entire process of making it is documented in this video

Lata didi’s Ganaraj Rangi Naachto is one amongst the few Ganesh Stuti songs that are connected to the festival like a shadow. There can be no celebration without this song playing somewhere around you if you are in Maharashtra.

Hope you like my honest attempt at this masterpiece. Do share it with your loved ones and keep listening and blessing!