Jewish woman paints Ganesh idols for free, 6 years and counting
Born and brought up in Mumbai, Moses often went out with her family during Anant Chaturthi to see the celebrations.
Meet Joycee Moses, a Jewish woman engrossed in painting Ganesh idols at Lalbaug. This 29-year-old woman, a resident of Saat Rasta, is a make-up artist by profession. She started painting Ganesh idols out of sheer interest. Although she comes from a religion that does not believe in idol worship, Moses has been painting Ganesh idols as they held a fascination for her.
Born and brought up in Mumbai, Moses often went out with her family during Anant Chaturthi to see the celebrations. Even as a kid, she was always intrigued by the process of idol-making, especially for Ganesh festival. In 2010, she finally got an opportunity to not only see how an idol is made, but also to learn how to make it.
"One day when I was waiting for the bus near Ganesh Talkies, I saw a few artists decorating idols. There was a stall right behind the bus stop. I spoke to its owner Ramesh Rawle and told him about my interest in making idols. As I was a make-up artist and knew sketching, he agreed to let me join as a volunteer," said Moses, who worked in a salon near Ganesh Talkies at that time.
Moses learnt the art of making idols right from scratch. Her involvement and curiosity made her a fast learner. "I started with learning about the proportions of clay, mud and plaster of Paris (PoP) required for making idols. I always thought the jewellery used for the idols was real. It was here that I learnt the intricate painting for the jewellery and accessories used," she added.
In the process, she also learnt a lot about Lord Ganesh and his importance in Hinduism. Now, she helps in making idols of goddess Durga during Navratri. "I am Jewish but it is interesting to know facts about other faiths. My parents have never stopped me from coming here to paint these idols. I spend my free time here helping Rawle," added Moses.
For all the time that she puts in for making these idols, she has never demanded a salary or any sort of compensation. Speaking about her work, Rawle said, "She paints idols and helps in making accessories. She is quite creative and she does not take money from us. We forcefully give her some amount to meet her travelling costs."