Andhericha Raja Gets A Trademark Certificate

This year, the city-based Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti in Andheri has finally got a trademark for its Ganesh idol, Andhericha Raja. According to the mandal members, they have received a trademark certificate from the government of India for the name 'Andhericha Raja'.

Famous for the tagline, 'Navsala pavnara Andhericha Raja', the Ganesha turns 53 this year. It was only five years ago that the mandal had applied for a trademark and copyright.

Speaking about why they applied for a trademark, Uday Salian, spokesperson of Andhericha Raja, said, "We had to secure a trademark for our idol as other mandals had also started naming their idols Andhericha Raja. With many mandals in Andheri naming their idols as 'Andhericha Raja', people get confused about its location. In order to stop other mandals copy our idol's name and tagline, we had to apply for the trademark and also copyright of our idol." He further added that the structure of the idol has not been changed for 21 years and design is now patent protected.

The mandal located in Andheri West brings an eight-and-a-half foot idol which is made by the sculptor Rajan Khatu. It's been 45 years that the Khatu family makes the idol for the mandal.

On Saturday, September 8, the idol will be shifted from Khatu's workshop in Lalbaug to the mandal without any music, in a silent way in order to not distribute the citizens at night.

The Andhericha Raja tops the list of popular Ganesh pandals in Mumbai. Founded in 1934, the pandal draws thousands of devotees a day.
SEEKING COPYRIGHT

With many mandals in Andheri naming their idols as ‘Andhericha Raja’, the Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti had applied for trademark and copyright five years ago.