Silent devotion: Cuttack's deaf & dumb youth carve Ganesh idols & celebrate puja with unique zeal

Tuhina Sahoo

Cuttack, Aug 26: Cuttack's Tulashipur has been witnessing a remarkable tradition for over four decades. Unlike others, Ganesh Pujas, the Tulashipur Deaf and Dumb Club has been organising their Ganesh Chaturthi in an extraordinary way by crafting idols and conducting rituals entirely by themselves.

Follow our WhatsApp Channel for the latest news, alerts & updates – Don’t miss out!

From a distance, one might mistake the group of youngsters, busy moulding clay and arranging decorations, for college students preparing for the festivities. But what makes this scene extraordinary is that the young men and women here can neither speak nor hear. Yet, with unmatched dedication, they sculpt idols, perform rituals, and conduct the entire celebration proving that true devotion needs no spoken language.

The club, which comprises nearly 450 hearing and speech-impaired members from across Odisha, has been conducting Ganesh Puja for over 40 years. 

Earlier, the idols were purchased from artisans, but communication barriers often created difficulties. Around 15 years ago, a group of students from Khapuria ITI proposed that they should sculpt their own idols. Without formal training, they began learning through YouTube and gradually mastered the art. Today they successfully craft magnificent idols, some towering up to 10 feet in height.

Preparations for the festival begin two months in before. Members divide responsibilities, procuring clay from Chahata locality, bamboo from Gadgadia, and other essential items. Most of them balance jobs during the day and dedicate evenings and holidays in idol-making. 

Every detail, from raw materials to decoration, is handled collectively.

Funding for the festival comes from voluntary contributions among members, with occasional support from generous individuals in the community. However, challenges persist. Since shopkeepers often fail to understand their requirements, members resort to writing on paper to purchase puja items.

The rituals too are unique. Without a priest, the members themselves conduct the puja. Mantras are recited silently in their hearts or expressed through sign language. A board is displayed detailing the schedule of rituals, when offerings will be made, and when Pushpanjali will be offered, ensuring clarity for all participants.

Krishna Nayak, an idol-maker and member of the club, expressed through sign language that the puja is not just a tradition but an expression of faith and creativity. 

Abhi Mahanti, secretary of the Tulashipur Deaf and Dumb Club, said,

“Our association has been celebrating this puja for over 40 years with around 450 members. Earlier we bought idols from market, but communication was always a hurdle. That’s when some of our members suggested making idols. We may not speak or hear, but this creativity is a gift from God. We organise everything on our own from contributions to rituals. This is our way of devotion.”

Though society may define them through disability, these youngsters have created a picture of ability, faith, and resilience. Their Ganesh Puja stands as a shining example of inclusivity, creativity, and silent but powerful devotion sending out a message that prayers need no language, only faith.