The Hindu Business Line : Keep horn craft alive

Cuttack, the former capital of Orissa, is home to some of the rich handicraft traditions. In ancient India, Cuttack was a famous river port from where the Oriya traders, known as Sadhabas, set out for long voyages to Greece and the Indian Ocean nations for selling handicrafts, handloom products and spices.

In the first century AD, Greek encyclopaedist, Pliny, noted that Oriyan traders took away gold in exchange for handicrafts. It was the magnificent Orissan handicrafts that fetched gold worth its weight. Today, one will be appalled to see the plight of the artisan community in the city.

A tradition IN THREAT

Thirty years back, around 300 families in Mangalabagh were involved in horn craft using ivory. Today, hardly 20 artisans struggle to keep the craft tradition alive. Most of them work for handicraft agents who sell their products to exporters and traders in metros.

The horn artisans carve out interesting episodes from the Jataka tales, the Indian mythologies, the Panchatantra and make a range of decorative-cum-utility pieces, namely, pen stands, cigar boxes, flower vases, trees, walking sticks, animals, birds, Odissi dancers, etc.

There is good demand for Jataka tales and Panchatantra stories in the US and these items are used while imparting lessons to school children. Combs made out of buffalo horns, which prevent hair from falling, are popular among the local buyers.

In spite of its domestic and export demand, why are the traditional horn artisans not interested in continuing this profession? During the Sunia festival, the artisans used to present their most beautiful creations to the kings and nobles of Orissa who gave them land and gold in recognition for their talent. Today, a horn artisan earns Rs 25-50 after a day’s hard work. The locals show ignorance and apathy to this rich craft tradition. People’s aesthetic sense to appreciate the art object is fast disappearing due to increasing consumerism.

A business proposition

Non-availability of horns and the lack of transparency in craft trade take away the artisans’ interests. But the biggest problem is the low wages paid to horn artisans and the lack of social recognition. The horn artisans feel they are at the end of the road.

Haridas, the only artisan who can make special indoor boxes, has switched over to selling popular local eatable bara-aludom. The skill to make single-piece horn items such as crane family, elephant family and more complicated subjects from the Indian mythologies has almost disappeared. Orissa must preserve this priceless craft tradition as horn craft could easily become a business proposition.

(The author is a Pune-based freelance writer. blfeedback@thehindu.co.in)

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