Every time I touch the yellow metal, I feel I am on top of the world. Though I belong to the family of goldsmiths, I entered the field late, at 22, after completing my B.Com. I must have inherited the gene for artistry from my grandfather Subbiah Asari. I also hold a law degree now.
Making gold ornaments is highly creative and demands a lot from the maker. Earlier, each design was unique like a designer sari bought in boutique shops. But now, heavy mechanisation has taken the sheen out of this profession. Casting jewellery has become the order of the day and those involved in jewellery business now find it easy to make jewels with the use of sophisticated machines.
Also, bringing cheap labour from other parts of the country has brought down the wastage percentage thereby depriving local goldsmiths of their opportunity to eke a living out of this profession.
Many a time I thought of switching over to academics but the passion for this art is so strong in me that I stick on. I have written two books on history of gold in our country and also about this profession. I work 12 to 13 hours a day and specialise in making rings.
I have two daughters who are studying in school. With poor returns it has become difficult to make both ends meet. Already the next generation is showing less interest in this profession and if this trend continues there is every chance that hand made jewellery will become a thing of the past.
(A fortnightly column on men and women who make Madurai what it is)
