Bhadrak: Use of khadi and other handloom products, which was once popular, began declining with the introduction of machine-manufactured fabrics. Despite this, a few weaver families of Amarsinghpur near Agarpada in this district have kept this age-old tradition alive, though not much volume of work is being carried out now, a report said.
Fighting all adversities, eight to ten families in the village have still stuck to the vocation though many have switched to other occupations in the absence of patronage. Locals say prior to the 1999 Super Cyclone, the village, which earned a name for fine quality handloom products, was abuzz with weaving activities. A visitor to the village could hear the sound of busy handlooms from a distance.
However, the cyclone spelt doom for the cottage industry, as many looms were damaged beyond repair by the gale. Scores of poor weavers could not afford the cost of repair and finally stopped weaving.
Earlier, 82 handlooms were in the village, now its number has come down to 8 to 10. All weaver families suffered damage, but only a few could get insurance coverage, the villagers said. Till date, many weavers are frequenting to courts seeking insurance money.
“Since then, most of the weaving families switched over to farming while some migrated to other states to work as labourers,” said a weaver Kailash Behera.
Among others, who are still maintaining their families with handlooms are Surendra Behera, Prafulla Behera, Muralidhar Prusty and Mohan Behera.
Srirampur Gobinda Jew Handloom Cooperative Society is the sole hope for the weavers.
The society provides raw material like threads and procures handloom products from the weavers.
Many weavers observed that what they need in the current scenario is advanced looms, training on modern design and market-driven products so as to strengthen their economic backbone.
They stated that new generation weavers are not inspired by the wages given by the government in the age of price spiral.
A woman weaver says, “One can earn a maximum of `200 to 300 as daily wage in this occupation. This meagre wage is not enough to maintain a family. This is why, handlooms have vanished. Weavers cannot give full time to weaving. They do farming in the day time and sit with looms for a few hours at night. In farming season, the looms remain mostly untouched,” she added.
Akshya Behera, another weaver says, “My family is in this occupation for three to four generations. Whatever wages we get from weaving is not enough to maintain family expenses. Income will be augmented, if we are provided new technology and advanced handlooms.”
Bisaya Behera, a woman weaver observed, “We engage ourselves in weaving after carving out time from busy household chores. This is just an additional income source for housewives.” Purusottam Behera, secretary of the cooperative society said, “Several schemes are being implemented to push economic standards of weavers. To support wavers, the government is executing various programmes. A sum of `30 is being paid as wage for a dhoti to each weaver.”
Some families in nearby Srirampur, Chakarapadhi and Sahupada are also clung to the traditional occupation. PNN
