Sundargarh: In a heart-warming sign of brotherhood, a Muslim couple has been spreading the message of peace and harmony by making attractive tableaux for the occasion of Durja Puja during Dussehra.
Md Maksud and his wife Naj Mahajabin have been doing this for years, setting an example of communal brotherhood and love between Hindu and Muslim communities. They also have a huge popularity for their work and designs. Owing to their popularity, the couple gets work orders three months in advance of Durja Puja. There is a huge demand for their products in the area.
“I was drawn towards the art of tableaux-making at a tender age of 13 after seeing my grandfather BK Raheman sculpting decorative materials for Dussehra,” reminiscences Maksud.
“Initially, I began assisting my grandfather that soon turned out to become my profession. Slowly, many puja committees gave us orders after seeing our work,” he adds. Since then, there has been no looking back for Maksud.
Even after marriage, he is helped by his wife who is his backbone in this profession now. Almost 65 per cent of the work is done by my wife,” Maksud says heaping praise on his wife for her support. The couple makes tableaux for all types of festivals including –Ganesh Puja, Biswakarma Puja, Ganesh Puja, Laxmi Puja, Jagandhatri Puja and Kartik Puja.
Like every year, this year also the couple is busy preparing tableaux for two puja committees. “We gain peace within ourselves by making the tableaux of Durga Maa,” the couple said, asking people not to differentiate on the basis of religion. “All religions are one, the religion of God,” they add.
Besides his art, Maksud is also known as a singer. He sings bhajans during melody parties and puja ceremonies. Similarly, his wife is an expert at bamboo craft. The couple, residing at a rented house with their two daughters, urges people to shed differences based on religion and propagate the spirit of brotherhood through their work. PNN