Rourkela: Even as she lost her husband at her prime, the 91-year-old woman still battles hard to revive the dying craft of making wares from date tree leaves for everyday use.
Paka Singh, a resident of ward-4 of Gadhatola under Rourkela Municipal Corporation, still weaves mats, baskets, chatai and other products using leaves of date trees which she has been doing over decades to support her family.
However, she finds it hard to get enough leaves to make these consumer durables, the elderly woman said. “I am not allowed to pluck leaves since the date trees are auctioned off commercially to prepare country liquor,” Paka added.
The craft of making mat, chatai, broom, hand-held fan is in the last leg as it faces stiff competition from colourful plastic mats which are abundantly available in the market, according to the artisan.
The products woven by Paka are mainly utilitarian everyday consumer durables used for sitting, sleeping and packaging materials.
While she has to pay Rs5 for a small bundle of tender leaves, it takes nearly a week to weave a large size mat which is sold for something around Rs250 in the market.
Earlier, the demand for her products was very high in local markets because of their durability which is not the case now courtesy influx of machine woven plastic products. However, some people, who are stuck to these traditional items still order for these products, the woman said.
Paka is extremely passionate about her skills and executes the order working round the clock, her family members said. She has not lost the sharpness of her eyes at this ripe age and continues to make these wares, they added.
Though the new generation learnt the craft from her, they lose patience fast and leave the profession, Paka regretted.
However, she is happy for Puspa Minz (39), a woman of the colony, who has mastered the craft. Puspa can revive the craft once again, a confident Paka said.
“The government is encouraging women self help groups these days. The craft can still survive if emphasis is given on products made from dates, palm and coconut leaves,” Puspa said. PNN
