On the occasion of Hindu’s festival Dussera, the statue of ‘Ravana’ who is known as an evil in the Hindu Mythology, is giving the pleasure to a Muslim family for getting connected with Hindus. Our society always talks a lot about Hindu-Muslim unity in our country, but there are no much effort seen to get this unity in reality.
Dussera is said to be one of the biggest festival of Hindus, they burn the statue of Ravana on this occasion to destroy wickedness from society. In Mumbai, at Girgaon Chowpatty, this festival is celebrated every year by burning the statue of Ravana. Interestingly this statue is made by a Muslim family of Nawabuddin Tirgar (38) who comes from Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai 20 days before to make this Ravana statue.
“Our family has got a ritual of preserving the Hindu-Muslim unity. Our family is getting great happiness in getting connected with the Hindus through the way of creating Ravana statue. The satisfaction that we get from making the statue of Ravana is bigger than the money we receives for our art, said Nawabuddin Tirgar.
Nawabuddin Tiragar comes from Gautam Budh Nagar of Chithera Dadri village of Uttar Pradesh. Many generations of Nawabuddin has done making of Ravana statue for Dussera every year. As this art they have been doing since generations, Nawabuddin has not learnt to make Ravana statue from classes. He makes on his own. Nawabuddin and his brothers learned the art of making Ravana statue from their father.
However, every year, this family will have to complete their work for a full month and 20 days before Dussera, they will come to Mumbai for making Ravana statue. Nawabuddin has carved statues of 10 to 12 Ravana this year. These statues are tall from 10 feet to 50 feet. Ravana on Girgaum Chowpatty is 50 feet high. The statues of Ravana made here will be sent to Azad Maidan and Malad.
Ravana’s replica to be burnt at the Azad Maidan, has been made by Nawabuddin since last 10 years. Nawabuddin’s 12 family members are constructing statues at Girgaum Chowpatty since last two weeks.
Nawabuddin Tiragar, Ravana Statue Artist
We do not get much money from making Ravana’s statue, but we get satisfaction when we see the Hindu people express happiness over burning this statue. Also we get to connect with Hindus is also much satisfying.