God’s design: Lalbaugcha Raja sculptor seeks copyright

God’s benevolence may not be exclusive, but his physical manifestation certainly is. Or so thinks Santosh Kambli, long-time sculptor of the famous Lalbaugcha Raja idols, who has filed an application to patent the different shapes of his Ganesh creations.

Kambli has applied for copyrights of his idols to the Controller General of Patents Designs & Trade Marks. Last year, Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal secured a global patent for the city’s favourite idol, whereby no one can use the name Lalbaugcha Raja for any product, commercial venture or even create a website bearing the name.

Kambli, a well-known sculptor, has been making the Lalbaugcha Raja idol since many years, his family having entered the idol-making business 80 years ago. He is the third-generation Kambli to continue the line of work.

For Ganeshotsav festival, Kambli makes more than 100 idols, their height ranging from two to 12 feet. To ensure that his work is copyrighted and other sculptors do not use his style, Kambli has approached the patent office, and has submitted the necessary documents.

“Idol-making is family business since my grandfather’s time. We have a different and unique style for specific Ganesh idols. Due to the cut-throat competition, people can easily make a die of our idols and run a roaring business. We want to secure our talent and uniqueness. No one should infringe the law. Therefore, we have applied for the copyrights. It is the safest way to protect our talent and art,” Kambli said.

“Lalbaugcha Raja is one of the idols in my series. After the popularity of Lalbaugcha idols, most artists want to made idols like it. Though we do not have an objection on this, our concern is that no one should use a die of our idol,” Kambli added.

“I have received the patent number after submission of papers. If someone is found guilty of copying our work, we will a file case against them.”