Apparatus:

• Natural Clay
• Mould for the idol (Front and Back).
• Talcum Powder/Ash/Chalk Powder
• A Knife

The Process:

• The Natural Clay is mixed with water to form Dough, such that water constitutes only 40% of the entire homogeneous mixture.
• Now, Take the required mould of POP, and sprinkle its inner surface with Talcum powder/Ash/Chalk powder, for the purpose of lubrication.
• Fill the front mould with the Clay Dough, simultaneously applying uniform pressure at all points. This ensures Precision in the features of the idol.
• Repeat the above step for the Back Mould as well.
• Now, put the two moulds together and fill any visible void with the clay.
• Press the two Moulds against each for a small amount of time. Be Gentle in doing so, as Excess pressure can weaken the strength of the idol.
• Now, remove the top Mould CAREFULLY and any excess Clay visible to you with a knife.
• Your Eco Friendly Ganesha is now READY.

NOTE:

• The Idol takes at least a day or two to dry, depending on its size.
• The Natural Clay used here is easily available in any POTTERS COLONY.

PAINTING YOUR GANESHA:

• Make Sure you have Brushes of all sizes. You can use the ones, we normally use on our canvas.
  (Smaller the idol, Finer should be the brush.)

• Colors and their ingredients:

1. China Clay(diluted) –> used as a primer coat.
2. Natural Blue–> Extracted from Indigo Plant/Kalappa.
3. Natural Yellow–> Extracted from Turmeric/Marigold(Chand huva).
4. Orange/Red–>Extracted from Anato seeds / Marigold (Chand huva) (Orange)./Brick Powder(Red).
5. Gum Arabic–> used as a BINDER.
6. Green–>Extracted from Thumbe Soppu.
7. Brown–> Extracted form Katha.
8. Black–> Extracted from Charcoal.
9. Violet–>Extracted from Jamoon.
10. Gold–>Extracted from Mica bearing Clay(Powder form)

• Making The Paint:

1. 1. If Ingredients are:

a)      Plants/Flowers/Seeds:

Then squish it in a using a small stone,so that it becomes a paste.

b)      Powders:

These can be used as it is, but can be ground finer if needed.

1. Take the Paste/Powder in a vessel and boil it till it gives out the color.

NOTE:

1. Before using the colors, mix some GUM(used for paper) with it. The addition of gum helps the paint to adhere to the idol.
2. Creating Shades:

• Different Shades of the same color can created by adding intuitive amount of CHINA CLAY(diluted) to it.
• CHINA CLAY can also be used to make the dilute paint, a little more concentrated (thicker).

EXAMPLES:

Katha + LIME(Calcium Compound) results in  Dark Brown.

Yellow + China clay results in  SKIN color.

EXPERIMENT TO DISCOVER COLORS OF YOUR LIKING!!

YOU ARE NOW FULLY EQUIPPED TO MAKE YOUR GANAPATHI HABBA CLEAN AND GREEN!!

Credits:

Regional Design & Technical Development Centre(Technical Wing)
Min. of Textile, Govt.  of India,
Bangalore

Estd. New Delhi 1958
Shifted to Bangalore 1961

Objectives:

• To develop new tools and Equipments for the Handicrafts sector.
• To conduct research & Experiments in new techniques and processes.
• To popularize the use of Eco Friendly Dyes
• To develop and upgrade the skills of the artisan community.
• To disseminate the technology in the field/craft clusters.

Research & Experiments:

• Bodies for ceramic and glazes.
• Wood mosaic and Chemical etching.
• Eco Friendly Dyes for textiles & Wooden Products.
• Terracotta and artistic jewelry
• Lacquering of wood and metal items.
• Batik, tie & dye.
• Cane & Bamboo.
• Kalamkari

Activities:

• Development of machine and tools.
• Training to Trainers and Master Craftsmen.
• Short term training: 1 month for anyone interested.
• Demonstrations
• Workshops
• Financing (up to 40 lakhs) to Community Facility Centers (CFC) for to develop and support Handicraft sectors across the Country.

ADDRESS:

32, Victoria Road, Bangalore,560047

Landmark: LIFESTYLE
Tel: 080-25554969
Email: techwing@vsnl.net
Contact person: Ullaskar Dey