LALBAUG CHA RAJA on PREM RATAN DHAN PAYO set :) - Page 4

MUMBAI: The 82-year-old setting of the Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh has acquired an added touch of glamour this year. The king will sit in the centre of a beautiful 'sheesh mahal', a palace made of coloured glass, that has been crafted by noted art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai. The set was designed for an Rajshri film, 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo', featuring Salman Khan and will be transported for the shoot after Anant Chaturdashi.

"Artisans from Udaipur, Jaipur and Agra have carved the 620-foot set using Belgian glass, and concave and convex mirrors. Each segment was laboriously turned to a specific angle to reflect the Raja's image, and to throw the light of the classy chandeliers that will be hung overhead," Desai said.

Grand palace settings and temple replicas are not uncommon on the Ganeshotsav circuit. Indeed, the Fort Ichhapurti pandal opposite the GPO has turned this into an art. Anjirwadi in Mazgaon, Ganesh Gully in Lalbaug and Andhericha Raja employ skilled artisans to recreate tall columns and fine carvings each year.

Yet, all this becomes a novelty amid the narrow fish market lane of Lalbaugcha Raja, which has little space to work with. Drapes and tinsel make its usual backdrop. "We are extremely happy to see the way the set has shaped up. Nitin Desai has been associated with our mandal since we observed our 75th anniversary," mandal president Ashok Pawar said.

Work began on the same day as the 'padyapujan' of the Raja, the day when the sculptor starts to craft the idol. Desai said it was Lord Ganesh that inspired him to put together this "best creation of his life".

"Ever since the landmark film 'Mughal-E-Azam' was made, it has been my dream, and indeed the dream of any art director, to design a similar 'sheesh mahal'. This has turned out just the way I had desired, thanks to the blessings of Lord Ganesh. I hope the devotees who arrive for darshan appreciate our effort."