Each year on Dussehra, crowds gather to watch the towering effigies of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna go up in flames, marking the triumph of good over evil. The spectacle of firecrackers, thunderous cheers and dramatic collapse lasts only minutes, yet behind the fleeting blaze lies a painstaking craft that takes weeks of skilled effort and patience. The art of effigy-making, once widespread, now struggles to survive in the face of declining artisanship. In Nagpur, the Binwar family has carried this tradition for more than seven decades. Khemkaran Binwar, who supplies effigies to the main Ravan Dahan at Kasturchand Park as well as to other locations across Vidarbha and Madhya Pradesh, has seen the art evolve and endure against odds.

 

His father, late Hemraj Singh Binwar, began making effigies in 1960. Today, Khemkaran and his brother continue the legacy, producing around 30 effigies every year. The making of an effigy begins with the skeletal frame built from bamboo. Old newspapers and cardboards are then layered with clay to give the structure shape and firmness. Once dried, the figures are painted, decorated, and often enhanced with new creative elements. “This year, we have fitted LED lights in Ravan’s eyes, which will glow red to give a realistic effect,” Khemkaran explained with pride. Each effigy is constructed in three sections so that it can be transported and assembled easily at the venue before the final ritual of burning. The Binwar family’s creations are admired for their scale, attention to detail, and artistic flair. Decorations vary every year, with innovative touches ensuring that their effigies remain distinctive and in demand. Yet, the growing popularity of elaborate Dussehra celebrations has placed fresh pressure on makers.

 

“Most of those working with us are relatives or long-time associates. Finding new skilled artisans is difficult. The younger generation is not taking interest in this work,” Khemkaran admitted. While the effigies are destined to be reduced to ashes within minutes, the effort, artistry and heritage that sustains them are far from temporary. As long as families like the Binwars continue their craft, the sight of Ravan towering defiantly before his fall will remain a centrepiece of Dussehra, reminding all not only of the victory of good over evil but also of the resilience of tradition itself.