Artisans seek support for bamboo work

BARIPADA: Life is no longer the same for the artisans of Purnachandrapur village under Baripada municipality. Decorative clay items, bamboo baskets and terracotta works which once fetched them a good price have lost their charm to products made of plastic and fibres.  There was a time when rural artisans of Mayurbhanj district worked in tandem to produce exquisite products which were popular abroad. There was never a dull moment. But today the scene  has changed. With orders far and few between now, the vibrancy of yesterday was given way to  despair.  For Sushanta and Sanjukta Bag, the struggle to sell their bamboo items has forced them to look for new avenues of employment. In the absence of market linkages, there has been a decline in the demand for these items. The business is no longer lucrative.  Things are no different for other artisans of the village. What is lacking is a proper platform where the families can showcase their skills. With no government help coming their way, they feel let down.  “We draw a zero even in the weekly market. If that was not enough, we now have to deal with shortage of bamboo,” said Jatin Bag, an artisan. Now, only a handful practice the artwork. According to Rashmi Bag, the traditional handicrafts made in  Baiganbadia, Nuagaon and Kathasirisha are still a sought after items in cities and towns, but there is no facilitator to transport these products.District authorities, while discussing ways to uplift the financial status of tribals, have often called upon agencies like the District Industries Centre (DIC) or Orissa Rural Marketing and Development Society (ORMAS) to take up the cause of the artisans. But the help is yet to reach them. Additional Project Director (Self-employment) of District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) Keshab Chandra Jha said they had no such specific marketing society. “We can only help the artisans sell their bamboo products at the exhibition centre,” he said.