Kolkata: The artisans in Bengal associated with various creative art forms are spending sleepless nights with all government and non-government fairs and exhibitions being postponed for an indefinite period as a preventive measure to combat the spread of Coronavirus.
Exports of their artworks have also come to a standstill because of the nationwide lockdown.
"Our source of earning is totally dependent on fairs and exhibitions held across the state. Since Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assumed power in the state, there has been several fairs and exhibitions organised by the state government departments. NGOs working in this sector has also organised workshop, exhibitions and small fairs to ensure that our creative works are exhibited and sold. Experts are saying that it will take nearly two years for the situation to normalise. We are seeking some sort of financial support or package from the state or central government otherwise many artisans will
be compelled to leave the
trade and adopt an alternate source of income," said Amit Chitrakar of Pingla in West Midnapore.
Amit is one among the 450 artisans belonging to 90 families involved in Potchitra, a traditional, cloth-based scroll painting known for its intricate details as well as mythological narratives and folktales inscribed in it.
Artists from Natungram in East Burdwan are also staring at an uncertain future amidst the lockdown with the artists stuck in their homes for a month. 294 artisans from 82 families of Natungram are associated with xylography. " We often sit during the evening and discuss on our own on what can be done to overcome this crisis. We have no alternative but to seek government support for the survival of this art," said Bijoy Sutradhar.
The artists associated with manufacturing articles from bamboo are also suffering from hardship in the current situation. Among 3,000 artists in the district of Malda 2,000 are associated with this art. The main income for these artisans was from export to Odisha which has stopped totally. There are two villages Sarkarpara and Majlisbag at Gazole in Malda where artisans are predominantly associated with this art form. "The Karmasathi scheme for artisans was slated to start from April 1. But it has not happened because of the lockdown. We are trying to extend assistance to them through the district administration. We are hopeful that our government will soon come with some sort of package," said a senior official of District Information Centre Malda.
The Dokra artists, the mask artists of Charida in Purulia, the Baluchari, the katha stitch artists etc are also in a similar situation.
Creative Bengal an organisation that works with the artisans have e-mailed a letter to the Chief Minister's office and the Chief Minister too urging her to form a committee or task force that will work for taking care of the artisans.