Aradi: Bijay Dash of Lohasahi, near Betali village under Dhamnagar block in Bhadrak district is a standout in modern society simply because he followed his passion and made it his profession. Bijoy is a creator of idols and his name has spread far and wide. His products are in great demand not just in Odisha but also in other states.
Bijay, a graduate, was attracted to idol making when he first saw a clay statue of Ganesh in class V in 1986. The art fascinated him and he started making clay idols on his own. The same year during Dussehra, he collected a ball of clay and started giving shape to his imagination. He made small clay statues of dogs, cows, birds and also Ganesh idols.
Bijay’s handiwork soon was discovered by his friends and seniors in school. They informed the teachers who to have a firsthand experience of Bijay’s talent visited his residence. What they saw – beautiful dolls and other clay creations – left them dumbfounded.
Bijay still vividly remembers he was in class X when he sold his first idol. A teacher from the nearby Khadimahar School was his first buyer. The Ganesh idol received huge appreciation and next year, there were a large number of orders for Ganesh idols.
Presently Bijay has employed two of his brothers and eight youth from the locality in his business. Orders for Ganesh, Saraswati, Durga and Kali idols come from far and wide. He receives orders from Sambalpur, Rourkela and Bolangir. Nationally also he has got recognition as his idols are sent to Nagpur, Surat and Delhi.
Bijay is equally competent in making wooden and cement idols. The cement idols at temples in nearby villages bear testimony to it. Idols of Lord Hanuman built by Bijay adorn many of the villages in the locality.
Neighbours and residents of nearby villages are always portraying Bijay as an example of being self-dependant. They are asking their children to follow in Bijay’s footsteps and not to go to other states in search of jobs.
Bijay’s family comprises six members including his wife and four daughters. His eldest daughter is a Class X student. “Whatever I am earning is enough to meet the demands of my family. I am very happy with my profession as I had wished to be an idol maker,” a visibly happy Bijay said.
Bijay though has one unfulfilled desire still. He wants his creations to go abroad. Hopefully, one day that will happen too.
PNN