The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Global economic slowdown affects artisans too

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Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Global economic slowdown affects artisans too

Chitra V. Ramani

— Photo: K. Gopinathan

Tough times ahead: Ajay Kumar from Rajasthan carving on a green stone at an exhibition in Bangalore.

Bangalore: Bijay Kumar Bariki is a troubled man. He has spent close to Rs. 20,000 to come from Puri in Orissa to Bangalore to participate in the Kalamadhyam Folk Art and Handloom exhibition. With the poor response to the exhibition, he is worried that he may not be able to make any profit this year.

Several artisans, who have come to the city to participate in the exhibition, are also facing a similar situation. Mr. Bariki, who is selling traditional pattachitra and palm engravings, said response had been mediocre at best since its inauguration on December 5.

Kalamadhyam was to have been part of Bengaluru Habba, but with the State Government postponing it owing to security concerns following the terror attack, its organisers have decided to go it alone.

Ajay Kumar, who sells marble artefacts, said this was the third time he was in the city to participate in the exhibition. “I have marble items ranging from Rs. 50 to Rs. 10,000. Last year, we received good response. Hopeful of a similar response, I spent Rs. 30,000 on transportation of marble artefacts to Bangalore. I have received enquiries, but no one seems to want to buy anything,” he said. Chander Kant Bondwal, award-winning woodcarver from Haryana, said with the increase in the cost of living and economic slowdown, people were not willing to spend money. “I do not think we will be able to make profits this year. I hope we will be able to break even.”

Rais Ahmad from Uttar Pradesh is still hopeful of making a profit. “I modified the items that I brought to the exhibition. For example, I was told that a good south Indian sambar needs 16 different spices. So, I have specially made a spice cabinet with 16 compartments,” he said. He also said that his goods may find favours among Bangaloreans owing to the unique combination of ceramics and wood.

“The items that I sell are unique. I hope to find good customers this year,” he said. Deepak Devangan from Bastar in Chhattisgarh, representing the Aadivasi Tuma Shilp Samooh, said: “Forget enquiries, not many people are coming to the exhibition. “I really hope to get back with some profits. But looking at the current scenario, I am not so sure about that.”

Kalamadhyam is on at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat till December 14.

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