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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Bamboo artisans struggle for survival by Ratan K Pani

Bamboo artisans struggle for survival by Ratan K Pani

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published Published on Jun 30, 2010   modified Modified on Jun 30, 2010

PATNAGARH: For generations they have been weaving magic, from bamboo. But, traditional bamboo workers are now close to breaking and the onslaught of substitute materials and government policies since past some decades have driven bamboo weavers to poverty and starvation.

The bamboo artisans of Kolpada in Khaprakhol block under Balangir district are leading a life of penury. Inhabited by primitive Kol tribe, by virtue of which the village gets its name, they primarily depend on forest, particularly bamboo for their livelihood. Their main source of income comes from weaving bamboo baskets.  Come morning, menfolk of the village leave for forest and return with bamboo. Back home, the entire family is engaged in chipping these bamboos into strips for making of daily use articles, locally called as Bhuga, Tupa, Changudi, Kula, Dala, most of which are mainly bamboo baskets meant for different uses.  To make it look attractive, which helps them sell their products easily, they dip the bamboo strips in colours. ‘‘If the sale is good on a particular day, we eat full meal. On several occasions our products are not sold and we spend the day without food,’’ said Ganesh Majhi.  Admitting that it is difficult to make ends meet in the trade, Brundaban Majhi of the village said they stand at the crossroads today.

While it is difficult to leave the trade carried on by them through generations, it is also getting difficult to earn a decent living, he rued.  Though they make more during marriage seasons and other social functions, it is not much in demand on normal days with plastic gradually eating into their market share. Moreover, ‘dala’, which were a must in construction industry, has been replaced by plastic tubs which are equally robust and last long.  With the decline in availability of bamboo grass, Iswar Majhi apprehends that they would not be able to carry on the trade for long. Moreover, the demand of the forest personnel, where they go to fetch bamboo, is also on the rise leaving them little at the end of the day. To worsen matters, 18 among the tribal residents of the village are landless, yet only nine families have been enlisted under BPL category and the village is denied of all basic facilities including education, health, connectivity, electricity besides drinking water.  It’s time the State Government steps in and gives cottage industry status to the trade failing which another piece of tradition will also vanish into oblivion.


Express Buzz, 29 June, 2010, http://expressbuzz.com/states/orissa/bamboo-artisans-struggle-for-survival/185517.html


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