Post News Network
Balasore, May 16: Once a vibrant cottage industry providing occupation to scores of people in Remuna area of Balasore district, brass utensil manufacturing have been adversely affected by the growing use of cheap steel and plastic utensils. It has also rendered thousands of people engaged in this profession jobless.
While many artisans have already adopted other professions, those continuing in the trade blame lack of government patronage for bringing the age-old occupation on the brink of extinction in the area.
Over several generations, 200 families of Sahajipatana, Januganj and Begampur villages were engaged in this profession, but now their number has shrunk to 20-30 only.
The brass utensils manufactured by artisans of these villages were once popular in various parts of the state and even outside. Brass is an alloy of tin and copper, which is melted in workshops and the molten alloy is poured into mud dices to give it different shapes and sizes by the artisans.
In a workshop, three to four artisans work together to produce plates, cups, bowls and other items.
Earlier, artisans used to be flooded with advance orders for their brass products and the area used to be bustling with activities of over 50 workshops. However, those halcyon days of artisans are over as only eight to 10 workshops have managed to survive in the face of changing times.
In their heydays, artisans used to get advance orders from traders throughout the year but now, they get orders only in marriage season, an artisan said. Moreover, the new generation is not keen to take up this profession as they don’t find it profitable, he rued.
Ajay Kumar Bindhani (53) who has been in this occupation for last 35 years, said: “Earlier, demand for ‘deepas’, ‘rukhas’, ‘dibiris’ and pitchers were high. Now people no longer need them. They now demand only various types and sizes of brass bowls.”
Ajay, who has engaged two of his sons into this occupation, said the wages and benefits they get from this occupation are not in proportion to the hard labour they put into the manufacturing process.
“Besides, expert artisans are not available these days to assist in the work while prices of coal and raw materials are constantly rising,” Ajay rued.
Another artisan and president of the artisans’ association, Ramakant Bindhani said the cottage industry has managed to survive in the area mainly because of high demand of brass crockery in neighbouring Jharkhand.
Ramakant said though the government boasts of encouraging cottage industries, yet their occupation has been ignored.
Suggesting that artisans need modern training for delicate works, Ramakant said provision of financial incentives and proper marketing facilities are required to keep the artisans of the area afloat. “This is how an age-old industry can be saved from a slow death and artisans can get adequate work,” he added.
A few days ago, the artisans’ association had approached the district collector to apprise him of their problems. General manager of district industry centre (DIC), P Prabhakar Rao, said the department has started initiatives for this cottage industry.
“A team of 10 artisans will be sent to Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh for training. They will acquire knowledge of modern brass works. They will also be trained about modern techniques and patterns. There will be provision of financial
assistance to the artisans under
certain schemes as well,” he said.
