: Organic Farmer Uses Cow Dung to Make Recyclable Sculptures Torans that Can Last 10 Yrs #IndiaNEWS #Handicrafts Organic farmer P Ganesan from Perungamanallur village in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, is well-versed

Organic Farmer Uses Cow Dung to Make Recyclable Sculptures Torans that Can Last 10 Yrs #IndiaNEWS #Handicrafts
Organic farmer P Ganesan from Perungamanallur village in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, is well-versed in all aspects of agriculture. He turned his nine-acre farmland into a certified organic farm around five years ago.

Ganesan says that cow dung is one of the most essential components in eco-friendly farming. So, when he switched to organic farming, he bought a few native breeds of cows to source enough dung to make organic fertilisers like jeevamrutha and panchagavya.

But to his surprise, Ganesan says “I received a lot more cow dung than what I required in my farmland. That’s when I started thinking of an alternative for not letting it go to waste. �?

He soon found a solution to the conundrum by making artefacts using only cow dung and cow urine.

A very unique and organic way of crafting handicrafts, Ganesan mastered this technique over the past five years. He started by making small Ganesha idols. Currently, he makes over 150 different products, which include utility, as well as decorative items. He even receives customised order requests from across the state and sometimes, from outside.

“I craft it by my hands. There is no machinery or mould involved, and I don’t add any ingredients other than cow dung and cow urine. It is 100 per cent natural and eco-friendly,�? says the 52-year-old.

A craft close to tradition

Torans (left) and Buddhas face, made using cow dung, Picture Credits: P Ganesan

While growing up, Ganesan recalls the times when his family used to make small Ganesha idols using cow dung. “Those idols were mostly symbolic of Ganesha, hence were not as detailed as the ones I make. They were majorly made during festivities or during the beginning of harvesting. I found inspiration from it and developed the idea,�? he says.

“Besides, I had seen how cow dung turns hard and solid once it dries under the sun. Dry dung cakes are still being used as fuel for cooking. It has a strong bonding property even without mixing it with any other ingredient,�? he elaborates.

Around the time he switched to organic farming, Ganesan happened to attend a training programme where a scholar suggested ideas on utilising cow dung in different ways. “In fact, I conceived the idea after that training session and decided to make Ganesha idols for Vinayagar Chaturthi,�? he adds.

Ganesha idol (left) and plaques with religious symbols, Picture Credits: P Ganesan

The 60 idols he made sold out quickly. This encouraged Ganesan to take his art to the next level. “I started experimenting and added more variety of products every year. By selling the Ganesha idols, I received around Rs 12,000 in the first year.