American Firm to Make Ganesh, Durga, and Lakshmi Idols

[Guest guest]

Now an American firm will make Ganesha, Durga, and

Lakshmi idols

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/870850.cms

or

http://tinyurl.com/ynz88a

Dec. 21, 2006

 

After the Chinese, US gift and collectible major Lenox has

begun manufacturing idols of popular Hindu god Ganesha

after being convinced by an Indian American of their huge

market potential.

 

Simmi Chopra, who sells Lenox products at her collectibles

shop outside Disney World in Florida, approached the

company to think beyond Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck

to Hindu deities like Ganesha, Durga and Lakshmi.

 

But persuading Lenox executives in Pennsylvania to craft

Ganesha wasn't easy. Lenox's collectibles are typically

high-volume versions of recognisable characters created by

Disney or Universal Studios.

 

Chopra, a Sikh by religion, hopes to make Hindu gods and

goddesses better known in the US, according to the

Orlando Sentinel newspaper.

 

"When Simmi came to us, we didn't know if we wanted to

do that," said Dennis Wood, Lenox vice president (sales).

"But ... she convinced us she could market this to her faith

market."

 

Once the company agreed, making the 15-inch-tall, 12-

inch-wide, 24-karat-gold Lord Ganesha proved to be an

uphill task.

 

"The process itself was an extraordinary challenge," Wood

admitted.

 

Complexities such as a tiny mouse that serves as Ganesha's

companion and the minute desserts in his hand were

difficult to mould in Lenox quality.

 

According to Chopra, it took three years to complete the

project. Multiple moulds were tried and trashed along the

way.

 

The first piece rolled out in June, and Chopra donated it to

a Hindu temple in Greater Orlando, Casselberry.

 

The second came with a $2,000 price tag. In all, 1,000

limited-edition pieces of Ganesha were manufactured and

nearly all of them have been sold.

 

Excited by the response, Chopra is now working on the

second piece in the line of Hindu-themed sculptures - the

sacred symbol 'Om' - due to be out early next year.

 

"We want to try to place this in every house," Chopra said.

 

The idol of goddess Durga, representing female energy, is

scheduled to be released in spring. Lakshmi, the goddess of

wealth, is likely to be out next fall.

 

Lenox, established in 1889, has created gifts, tableware and

collectibles for many US presidents and dignitaries. The

company's USP is that it guarantees satisfaction - "You

don't like it, bring it back."

 

Chinese-made Hindu gods have already become a major

draw in the Indian market, particularly during major

festivals like Diwali.

 

The Ganesh Idol:

http://www.ramcreations.com/lenox.jpg