Bhawanipatna: With technology making rapid strides, bamboo craftsmen are facing tough times.
Cheap plastic goods are flooding the market and so bamboo craftsmen are facing a bleak future, reports said. While many have already given up their centuries-old craft and opted for other professions, those who are still clinging to the art are finding it hard to remain afloat.
Gone are the days when bamboo items were in demand. People used bamboo goods for festivals and religious functions.
Farmers in those days used to use baskets (jhudi) made of bamboo to collect cow dung. Bamboo baskets were also used during harvests. However, with the easy availability of cheap plastic substitutes, people are turning away from bamboo items.
As plastic items are cheaper people are turning away from bamboo products. Everyone prefers plastic and iron products
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A CRAFTSMAN
“As plastic items are cheaper people are turning away from bamboo products. Everyone prefers plastic and iron products,” a craftsman said.
“A time will come when bamboo products will only be seen in museums if nothing is done to revive our craft,” he added.
This has affected the incomes of bamboo craftsmen who are slowly turning to other professions. Usually, the craftsmen cut bamboo trees into small pieces and then make baskets and other products.
It takes almost a day to make a basket. But in the market, the craftsmen are not even getting labour charges. With the decline in demand, the prices of bamboo products are also falling.
Bamboo craft does not provide any gain to craftsmen who toil day and night. The decrease in the number of bamboo trees has also added to their woes.
Interestingly, bamboo products like ‘Bhogei’, ‘Kula’, ‘Dala’ and many other products used to be given to brides as dowry. However, this tradition is almost gone except in some tribal villages. Nowadays, people demand bikes, cars, almirahs and TVs as dowry.
Modern technology has destroyed the livelihood of bamboo craftsmen who are waiting for the administration to provide a helping hand to revive their craft. Although, the government is pumping in crores to help tribal craftsmen and provide markets for ancient crafts, the plight of bamboo craftsmen shows that it is not effective.
Bamboo craftsmen want the government to spread awareness about their craft to promote it. “Proper training should be given to craftsmen to increase demand for products. Marketing facilities should also be provided,” a craftsman said.