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Legendary idol maker Vijay Khatu's daughter carries on tradition

Mumbai's popular Ganesh idol maker Vijay Khatu, who died at a time when mandals usually wait for the delivery of their idols.

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Artist Reshma Khatu at the Ganpati workshop at Currey Road in Mumbai
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Reshma Khatu is on a mission. In a week's time, it will be the first death anniversary of Mumbai's popular Ganesh idol maker Vijay Khatu, who died at a time when mandals usually wait for the delivery of their idols. His death came as a surprise, and also brought fear, but his daughter ensured that the deliveries didn't take a hit.

Fast forward a year, and though it is still just the beginning of Shravan, she already has more than 80 orders, with more expected soon. This year, she also had to shift her workshop from Chinchpokli to India United Mill near Bharatmata Theatre.

"By March, we have to apply for places for workshops. I did it in time, but then the Parel Workshop was already allotted to someone, so I found this new place. Yet, the orders that my father used to receive have stayed the same," she said.

Talking about Chintamani Mandal, the oldest mandal in the city that is about to celebrate its 99th year, she said, "Dad had already had planned the idol's creatives and told us how it should be, both for the 99th and 100th year. We told the mandal and they agreed with it," said Khatu who had to learn the ropes in a very short span.

Mandals have also reposed their faith in Reshma, with Amit Bhadricha, from Chira Bazaar Tadwadi Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal saying, "Since the last 20 years, our mandal has got its Ganesha idol from the now late Vijay Khatu, but this year, when we had to get the idol, our mandal decided to give the order to his daughter Reshma. Vijay Khatu was the only one who could put life into an idol and we are glad that his daughter is continuing his work."

Raining Orders

Though it is still just the beginning of Shravan, Reshma already has more than 80 orders. 
This, despite the fact that the workshop has shifted from Parel to Currey Road.

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