Marathi actress Sonalee Kulkarni has opened up about her family's cherished eight-year tradition of handcrafting their own Ganpati idol every year, this time unveiling a farmer-themed creation that also carries a prayer for India's struggling agricultural community.

The Farmer-Themed Idol

This year, the family chose to depict Lord Ganesha seated on a bullock cart as a farmer — a meaningful departure from previous years' designs. Speaking to media, Sonalee explained how the concept came to life: 'This is a bullock cart and Lord Ganesha is seated on it as a farmer. In our family, it has been a tradition for the last eight years that we make the idol of Lord Ganesha ourselves. We try to make it with clay with our own hands. This time, we thought that since it has been eight years, we should do something new and make it look different,' she said.

The Inspiration Behind the Design

The bullock cart that inspired this year's idol reportedly dates back to 2008 and originates from Sinhagad Road in Pune. The family imagined how the deity would appear seated on the traditional cart and chose to present him in the garb of a farmer — a theme that resonated deeply with them given the current conditions faced by India's farming community.

A Prayer for India's Farmers

Sonalee made clear that the idol carries a message beyond aesthetics. 'With this, we will be able to pray to Lord Ganesha that this time there is a flood in many places and it is not raining in many places. So, all our farmer brothers are having to go through such extreme climate. We are praying to Lord Ganesha that there is a change in their situation and they do not have any more problems. And this is what we tried to make through our idol,' she explained.

The sentiment reflects a broader concern — erratic monsoon patterns and floods this season have caused considerable distress to farmers across multiple Indian states, and the actor's family chose to weave that social consciousness into their festive observance.

Eight Years of a Handmade Tradition

The Kulkarni family began the practice of making their own clay idol eight years ago, choosing to forgo commercially manufactured idols in favour of a hands-on, personal approach to the festival. The tradition aligns with a growing eco-conscious movement that encourages the use of natural clay idols during Ganesh Chaturthi, which are more environment-friendly than chemically painted plaster-of-Paris versions.

Sonalee Kulkarni on Screen

Known as one of Marathi cinema's most recognised faces, Sonalee Kulkarni has delivered acclaimed performances in films including 'Natarang', 'Mitwaa', and 'Jhimma'. Her personal life and cultural engagements frequently attract attention from fans across Maharashtra and beyond. As Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 festivities unfold, her family's idol has resonated widely for combining devotion, craft, and social purpose.