Cuttack: Breaking barriers with clay, colour and creativity, a group of hearing- and speech-impaired men have showcased artistic talent and determination to craft a unique Ardhanariswara Ganesh idol at Tulsipur police colony in Cuttack. Chaturthi falls on Monday.The idol, which stands 15 feet tall and is 8 feet wide, has been crafted using around 250 kg of clay manually collected from Naraj and brought to Bidanasi by the group. Four artisans were involved in making the idol, while 15 others helped decorate the surrounding areas and assisted in the preparations.The idol, depicting the Ardhanariswara form of Lord Ganesh, is expected to be a major attraction during the festival. The differently abled group has paid special attention to its colour combination, detailing and overall artistry to lend the creation a distinctive appearance. “We want to show what we can do, even though others may think we cannot. Our work is our answer. We have put our heart and soul into creating this idol,” said 30-year-old Balukeswar Behera, a deaf and speech-impaired from Cuttack, who was busy giving final touches to the idol.“We communicate with each other through sign language to convey on what needs to be done. While making the idol, we point towards the clay, colours and different parts of the structure to explain our ideas. We understand each other through our actions and teamwork. There is no need for words when we share the same passion and determination,” added Behera.Behera, along with the other artisans, has been working on the idol and its finishing touches. From selecting colours to ensuring intricate details of the idol, he has been involved in several aspects of the artistic work. The idea of creating the unusual idol was conceived by 35-year-old Ratan Kumar Sen, who has been hearing- and speech-impaired since birth. Sen, who took ITI training and later became an innovative art and craft teacher, designed the idol and took the lead in executing the concept.“Ardhanariswara Ganesh was an interesting idea. What we saw on the internet, we tried depict the same on clay, We wanted to create something different, and everyone liked the idea. It took a lot of effort, but we are happy with the outcome,” said Sen, the mastermind. The differently abled have formed a puja organisation named Brothers and Brothers.Another men, 49-year-old Jitendra Nanda, has also been involved in the idol-making process, a deaf and speech impaired. said “the initiative was not merely about celebrating Ganesh Puja but also about creating awareness about the abilities of persons with disabilities,”Their work, they said, was a message that talent and creativity know no barriers.“They may face difficulties in communication, but that has never stopped them from working together. Through this idol, they want people to recognise the talent and encourage them,” said Abhi Mohanty, a resident of TulsipurMore than 15 deaf and speech-impaired are now focusing on the final decorative work around the puja venue, hoping their creation will draw visitors and inspire others to look beyond disability.