Pune : Rasta Peth Based Sculptor Innovates Eco-Friendly Mix for Crafting Ganpati Idols
Becomes the first idol sculptor to receive a patent
By: Pune Pulse
August 18, 2023
Pune: Idol Sculptor Abhijit Dhondphale has come up with a new mixture to avoid the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols and create an idol that is lighter in weight than Shaadu clay idols. He has named this mixture as ‘Ravindra mixture’ after his father. A patent has also been obtained for this, and he became the first sculptor to obtain a patent. He has dedicated this patent to the country.
As per information shared by Dhondphale, Idol Sculptor in Rasta Peth, Pune, Ganesh idols made from this mixture will be ‘eco-friendly’. The Ganesh idol made by his grandfather from environmentally friendly paper pulp in 1955 is still in good condition. His father Ravindra has also made many paper pulp Ganesha idols. Inspired by this, he experimented with a new blend. Hard tests were done in the testing labs of civil engineers. Tests were conducted on stiffness, dissolution time etc compared to PoP, Shaadu soil. In 2019, after many experiments, this mixture was successful. The mixture was registered for a patent in July 2019 and received a patent in 2023.
In this, the strength of this mixture was better than POP and of course, more than Shaadu soil and the dissolution time of this mixture was very less.
The following ingredients are used in this mixture:
1) Alluvial Soil
2) Shaadu soil
3) Soft rice bran or fine wood shavings (should be taken in proper quantity.)
Characteristics of this mixture:
· Its strength is better than POP so it is safe for transportation
· The weight is lighter compared to Shaadu. It can be Painted just like painting on other mediums. This allows for more linear work compared to other media
· Shadu dries faster than soil
· Shadu is lighter in weight compared to soil
POP is a medium that is hazardous to the environment. It is made by heating the mineral gypsum to 220° C, baking it into a powder, and when it comes in contact with water, a chemical reaction takes place, producing heat (exothermic reaction) and then it becomes non-decomposable. So, he recommended that this mixture should be used instead of PoP. Since this mixture is completely free of chemicals and chemical reactions, people can use it on plants and pots after immersion.
