Pune: In a remarkable story of determination and family support, Sunita Shinde and her family have successfully established a thriving business creating Ganesh idols, overcoming initial challenges and building a legacy.

Sunita, who learned the craft from her father while working at a brick kiln, has led her family in producing around 5,000 idols each year at their factory, Vrushali Art, established ten years ago.

Despite no prior experience, the Shinde family dedicated themselves to learning the art and turning it into a full-time occupation. Initially producing 500 idols annually, they have grown their production to meet increasing demand from regions like Pune and Ahmednagar.

The business is a family affair, involving Sunita’s sister-in-law, her sons, and other relatives, all contributing to the success of the factory.

The Shinde family hails from Junnar but currently resides in Chandoli Budruk in the Ambegaon taluka. They initially started working at a brick kiln there. In the time they had between shifts, they began making Ganesh idols.

To support this endeavor, they acquired 11 gunthas of land in Khadki Phata and established their factory in 2014. The factory now produces around 5,000 idols annually, ranging from half a foot to six feet in height.

The entire family is involved in this work, including two brothers-in-law, Mohan Shinde and Prakash Shinde, as well as Sunita's sons Rishikesh and Rigved Shinde, daughter-in-law Ashwini Shinde, and eight other workers.

"None of us, including myself, knew the art of making Ganesh idols. We came here to restart our father’s closed brick kiln. While working there, we learned to make Ganesh idols, and eventually, we set up the factory to continue and advance this art," said Sunita Shinde, a sculptor.