INDIA, January 22, 2006: Ganesha is everybody’s mascot–be it in the commercial, political, cultural or global arena. He was always adored, worshipped and held in great adulation. Ganesha, Ganapati, Vigneshwar, Gajavadana, has shifted base, begins this article by Vijaya Pushkarna. The son of Shiva and Parvati, the endearing God with the head of an elephant and a human body is now a pendant on a 16-year-old’s neck, a clasp on a 17-year-old’s key chain, a handle on a door, a terracotta figure in someone’s garden or the presiding deity in corporate offices across the country. The concept of Ganesha has undergone a shift: the believer’s icon and collector’s curio piece is also a commercial bestseller, an investment tool, a money-spinner and a powerful political mascot. A dominant presence in India, He is also being hailed globally. India is knocking on world markets and being embraced by shrewd international businesses.
Ganesha icons of polystone, glass and polyresins made in China find their way to gift outlets like Archies Gallery. From the remote areas of Shenzen come Ganesha fountains for your garden and glowing Ganesha figurines for your bedside table, in thousands of shapes and sizes. The ‘made in China’ Deities flood Mumbai’s bazaars. Higher end international jewelers such as 150-year-old London-based Frazer & Haws opened shop in India over a decade ago. Today, among their hottest selling items are exquisite Ganeshas, in more than a hundred new designs every year. Soher, the 60-year-old Spanish artifacts company began making Ganeshas in collaboration with Jindal Art Glass. Italian company Linea Argentine has limited edition, 15-inch-high Ganeshas, made of sterling silver and studded with Swarovski crystals. Others who have claimed Ganesha as their own are Italian companies Ottaviani, porcelain maker Lladro, Baccarat, Lalique and French company Daum.
“In a world inundated by the media, stories of the power of Ganesha–the Vighnaharta or vanquisher of obstacles-are absorbed by those who can hear and see, if not read,” says Kamal Tewari, chairman of Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi, explaining Ganesha’s worldwide appeal. “They would like to appeal to Vighneshwara, to ward off evil and obstacles from their path. They too have become believers and devotees of Ganesha, though they may not consciously pray.” To read the lengthy article in its entirety, click on “source” above.