India, Aug. 25 -- In the heart of bustling inner lanes of Lower Parel is tucked away a quiet line of workshops, where artisans are at work - their hands stained with clay, hearts full of devotion. They are preparing for one of the state's most loved festivals - Ganeshotsav. Among them is a lesser known but passionate craftsman Parag Pardhi, 38, a papier-mache Ganesha idol maker who is blending tradition with sustainability.

Seated in a dusty workshop amongst Ganesha idols in various stages of making, Pardhi is rushing to give the idols their final shape. Papier-mache -- a mixture of paper pulp, natural glue, wall putty and water -- may seem fragile at first glance, but in the hands of a skilled craftsman, it transforms into a powerful sy...