JOIN USThis is the view at Medar Street in Chamarajanagar which is gearing up for Gowri-Ganesha festival that is around the corner. More than 50 families are involved in making bamboo articles here for more than five decades and eking out their living.
But, with modernisation, bamboo weaving which is one of the cottage industries has taken a beating.
Plastic, which has become one of the basic needs in our daily life, has a drastic impact on these workers as the containers are now available in various sizes, measures and also qualities.
The ladders, which were once made of only bamboos are now available in aluminium and other metals, with a touch of elegance and has attracted buyers.
The number of families now involved in this trade has come to 15, but the city municipal council or the district administration have failed to give a fresh lease of life to these artisans.
With the festival fast approaching, weavers are working full time, but lament that though they slog for the whole day, they see very less profit.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, one of the weaver says that each bamboo costs them Rs 200 and about 40 containers (mora) can be made in two bamboos.
A pair of ‘mora’ is sold at Rs 40 during the festive season and at Rs 20 at other times. There is not much profit, and they do not know any other profession, say the artisans.
With sericulture losing its lustre and many sericulturists opting for alternative professions, huge bamboo plates (chandrike) that were in great demand has come down. With the people too lured by attractive plasticware, the use of bamboo articles have decreased.
Basavanna, who is in this profession for decades, say the present day generation is in search of alternative jobs and work as labourers to eke out their living.