‘Jari Medha’ artisans of Cuttack stare at worst-ever disaster amid COVID-19

Express News Service

CUTTACK: Over 300 artisans of Millennium City, who eke out a dwelling by designing ‘Jari Medha’ through the festive season are within the midst of the worst disaster of their lives as they’re devoid of labor as a result of pandemic for the second consecutive yr. 

With the second wave exhibiting indicators of decline and enterprise actions opening up, the artisans had been trying to resume work this yr however the restrictions on Durga Puja pandals and idols imposed by the State authorities have poured chilly water on their aspirations. 

The artisans who reside at Banka Bazaar, Odia Bazaar, Buxi Bazaar, Thoria Sahi, Shilpi Kumbhar Sahi, Firingi Bazaar and Chunabhati Gali localities within the metropolis rely on their hereditary vocation of designing puja pandals and idols for a dwelling.

Women and youngsters additionally pitch in to assist the artisans who used to earn their annual revenue through the 4 months of festive season. Apart from ‘Jari Medha’, the artisans additionally make and provide crowns, earrings and different sundry decorations for idols throughout Ganesh Puja, Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Laxmi Puja and Kartikeswar Puja.

While supplies like bamboo, Indian corks, and many others for ‘Jari Medha’ are collected domestically, different ornamental gadgets like gold and silver paper, glitter, mirrors, gold wires and beads are procured from Kolkata.  Besides assembly the wants of puja pandals in Cuttack, the artisans additionally acquired orders from Bhubaneswar, Jatni, Dhenkanal, Angul, Talcher, Jajpur and Kendrapara districts.

The lion’s share of the orders had been acquired throughout Ganesh Puja and Durga Puja. “Not a single order for ‘Jari Medha’ was received during Ganesh Puja this year. We are yet to receive orders for designing ‘Jari Medha’ for the upcoming Durga Puja festival,” mentioned 55-year-old Purna Chandra Singh of Firingi Bazar.  

The artisans additionally earn by making crowns and altar ornamental gadgets for marriage and scared thread ceremonies. But the demand has dwindled within the final two years as a consequence of restrictions imposed in view of the pandemic, he added. 

“Usually, we earned Rs 30,000 to Rs 80,000 for making a Jari tableau of a Durga idol depending on its size and design. Now, the puja committees will pay only Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 for making ‘Jari Medha’ for idols which are required to be less than four feet in height,” mentioned Surya Narayan Parida of Shilpi Kumbhar Sahi.