As I was trying to figure out whom DLF is shortlisting to sell its Aman Resort asset, a friend, lets call her Simi, pings me on facebook and asks, "Have you shortlisted?" I replied, "yeah but I am wondering why Louis Vuitton would like to buy it", she interrupts, "Bitch! I am talking about your short listing" and I kept thinking what I am supposed to shortlist.
Then I realised, and i replied, "Ohhhoo! that shortlisting, nah, I am not doing it mom and dad and entire clan is going to do it."
Simi said, "Oh, I have shortlisted ten, can you believe it Ten!!! mom will start calling them from next week, I am sure one can definitely be rounded up."
I replied, "Good, i really hope that you get married by the end of the year!"
Yeah! Marriage! and we were talking about shortlisting men from all the matrimony websites and news paper advertisements. With an onslaught of matrimonial websites like jeevansathi.com, bharatmatrimony.com , shadi.com, community wedding portal to same caste wedding portals, there are options which are bound to defy one's imagination. To add to it daily newspapers come up with an extra suppliment dedicated entirely for the purpose of match making and very smartly they publish it on sundays. so the entire sunday the entire family except for the one who is supposed to get married look at ads which scream 'wanted grooms' or 'Bride wanted' , as if its a paper of wanted criminals.
The whole day is spent looking at these haunted wanteds and finally once a consensus is reached, the prospective 'parties' are called. And if they like the 'party' they then mail their resumes to each other, and if both parties like it, then they meet either at the girl's place or the new found fancy of the urban India, a cafeteria or open resturaunt of any mall near their homes. Thats quite a long process which can at times take a week or months at large!
Also to add, some portals also offer authenticity checks done by consultants like AC Nielsen, I mean hatts off man! There are other features too, I am really not interested to decipher the portal. Do it yourself!
So finally, when the average girl and the average boy who couldnt find any partner on their own, or had gone through a series of break ups- give up and infamously put a tag of destiny on their forehead and within a week of even knowing each other's name, their facebook pages scream "In a Relationship".
Wait! its not even six months, the status will shift to being, "Married" and some 55 comments congratulating the two hapless people, who in their entire lifetime would have never imagined to be together are now apparently 'happily married'. And then bikini clad pics and skimpy shorts would be all over the internet, dancing in Macau to sunbathing at Langkawi, Kissing at Maldives to playing with snow balls in Iceland! Options are endless!
But that's still better than being a 25 year old, single bengali girl, that too a business journalist! because the above mentioned traits isn't really what qualifies one to be a good 'Gharowa" or 'homely' girl. Every time a relative comes visiting or any family function one is forced to attend, the only topic of discussion that attracts maximum attention is, "biye kabey dichho?' (When are you getting her married off?)
Infact a few months back, I went to my father's best friends' daughter's birthday party and the caterer uncle was a common friend, and he screamed across the first floor to my father, " Dada, I will take the catering order for your daughter's marriage"
To my horror, I could see atleast one hundred eye sockets staring at me, the uncle further continued ,"But beta, he should not be a Muslim or very rich, then I would not take the order."
My mother quipped, "Cheley holiye holo!" which meant, "Its enough if there is a guy"
And everyone on the floor sighed, there is no boy!
But then, Indian families are very different from their western counterpart, there are relatives who seldom think its their job to save me from my present destitute state. So a cousin of mine went ahead and told a Forty year old uncle, that there is a girl would you like to get married?
Another cousin, how could she be left behined, she wanted me to meet a guy who is least interested in getting married! So finally, my mom looks around the paper as she cant browse internet and calls people. Once someonse asked her, what is your daughter's weight? I asked her to reply she is a 'Phulkopi' which means cauliflower :P
As every sunday is spent dealing with marriage and its anciliary topics, I have found my perfect way out of it. Call cousins over for picnic, taking them out for movies or join a gmat class.. trust me its quite a better option than your parents asking you at the end of the day, "why don't you have a boyfriend?" Trust me they will get you your favorite car to your dream travel trip, if only you said, You have the 'Guy'!
Once my mentor ended up asking me, "Are you lesbian?How can you stay wihtout a guy for two years? I mean not even a fling..I mean being a leabsian is okay there is nothing to be ashamed off"
Hahahaha...everytime I think about it i can't stop laughing at what he said that day!No I am not laughing at the concept of being gay, but I am not> M quite straight and have had boy friends who have iterated everytime I dated them, that Men are not worth the chick-chick that they bring along!
So here it is, accept it, a girl dosent need a guy just for the heck of it! Money can buy diamonds, clothes, cards, dinners, everything but not what the women is exactly look for! It includes lot of caring, sharing and not a pint of lying, the option of being worried for the other person and spending sleepless nights, going on a long drive at 3 am, or just cooking dinner for the other...theres a lot more to finding a guy than just meeting in a mall and popping the beautiful question you can only dare to ask, "so what's your hobby? Do you like gardening, cooking?" Hell No! theres no land for gardening any more in Bombay so Shut the Fuck Up! and yes ofcourse i will work 14 hours a day and cook !that is all is left to my existence!
Until then, its being happily single mode :)
whats the weirdest you have come across? teme, its fun to hear these stories....
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Kalighat Paintings
As new age modern artists swiftly run their brushes on canvas, the oil paints splash onto each other to give life to a new painting. On the other hand, Ganga Chitrakar, in his mid forties, sitting on the stairs of the enigmatic, Victoria Memorial Hall, a museum built in 1921 in Kolkata, draws border line strokes with strong vegetable colours on a piece of cloth depicting naxalism in Nandigram, a village in West Mednipur.
'Chitrakar' or painters began painting on the 'Pat' or cloth which became Bengal's indigenous painting form originating in the 19 th century called Kalighat Painting. The name Kalighat attached itself to the painting form as the painters or 'patuas' used to sit around Kalighat Kali Mandir, one of the most visited temple of Goddess Kali located in Kalighat, the southern part of Kolkata. The patuas based their paintings on straight lines, soft curves, strong suggestions and no detailings of the characters on the painting. This school of painting was the most coveted form between 1835-1935 and they only used vegetable colours to make their 'chitras' or visuals. Pilgrims who came to worship in the temple or visitors who simply wandered in the city could not help but take the city's memories back in the form of these Kalighat Paintings which narrated stories of Goddess Kali, Ram and Sita or Krishna with Radha, Annapurna and others.
As time passed by the patuas did not restrict themselves by only painting Hindu lords, as Mughal emprors began their invasions some of the artists converted their religion and became Muslims and narrated new stories. The patuas fascination took to the Babu-Bibis, the Britishers who lived in the south part of the city also called White Calcutta. Though the painters could not visit or see them but they read the newspapers and derived their thoughts for the painting. Researchers say that Kalighat School of painting blended two different styles which includes the oriental and the occidental form of painting.
As the century passed by the Kalighat temple and its environs are no longer home to these patua families. Most of the patuas relocated to their villages in various districts of the state. A significant amount of patuas are nestled in a village called Naya, situated in West Mednipur district, 150 kilometeres away from the city. The present day artists take the title of Chitrakar or Patua which specifies their caste status.
Most of the artisans have been living in dire conditions though things have been improving since last few years as these artists have gained prominence across the globe with their art work. Banglanatok dot com, a social enterprise in collaboration with European Union, has been working with 230 patuas in both districts in Mednipur. Ranjan Sen, creative head of Banglanatok, says, "Patuas in various districts have signature style like patuas in Murshidabad have a lot of detailing imbibed in their work. Also originally Kalighat paintings were done with only black and white, later on colours came in. The economic condition of the painters is very poor. The paintings go through personal collectors or dealers but as a community their conditions are dire. Though in last few years things have been improving."
The organisation is working on the concept of 'Shilpi bachley shilpo bachbey', if artisans live only then only will art live. One of the aspiring Patchitrakar, Moyna chitrakar had taken to begging with her husband to fend for her family but now not only she earns a healthy living she exhibits her paintings in Paris too. Sen adds, "Earlier they had a monthly income of Rs 500-600, and now the average income of the villagers is approximately Rs 7000-8000 per month." Some artisans are also fetching higher amounts.
Anwar Chitrakar, a west bengal state award recepient, had sold one of his paintings to Delhi Metro Station which fetched him Rs 80,000. Anwar's paintings have been showcased at Harley Gallery in United Kingdom and his graphic novel encapturing 1000 Kalighat pictures have released recently. Anwar, says,"People had stopped painting on Kalighat Pat. It is our family legacy to draw Kalighat Paintings, I started working from 1998 but everyone here had been doing cloth painting work but the payment was miniscule. When I first started selling I used to sell an 8 by 12 inches painting for Rs 100-150 a peice now I sell them for Rs 800 a piece on an average. I have also sold paintings for Rs 75000-85000 a piece depending upon the size of the painting."
The paintings are based on themes which is prevalent in the society, some of the themes are 9/11 strike on the world trade centre in USA, the evils of child marriage, water conservation, safe sanitation, HIV Aids awareness, naxalism in Nandigram. The painters have also innovated their paintings to give three dimensional look.Four of Anwar's paintings is part of the new artist section of the Kalighat Painting exhibition at Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata which has been put together in collaboration with Victoria and Albert Musuem in London. The exhibition is part of the cultural pact signed between Indian and Britain last year. The exhibition showcases some of the rare Kalighat Painting collections which are present with V&A London in Kolkata. The exhibition will travel through the country.
Most of the paintings on display are from the collection of John Lockwood Kipling, which he collected during his tenure in Calcutta. The museum also boasts of collections from Mukul Dey, the Indian artist and first Indian principal of Government art college in Kolkata. Dey's collections can be found across continents, though he wanted to open a museum in Calcutta but a major part of his Kalighat Paintings were acquired by W G Archer.
PLS NOTE: I had written this copy for my publisher Business Standard Ltd, enclosed link is what came on the paper finally, but this is my personal take!
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/deft-strokes/454636/
'Chitrakar' or painters began painting on the 'Pat' or cloth which became Bengal's indigenous painting form originating in the 19 th century called Kalighat Painting. The name Kalighat attached itself to the painting form as the painters or 'patuas' used to sit around Kalighat Kali Mandir, one of the most visited temple of Goddess Kali located in Kalighat, the southern part of Kolkata. The patuas based their paintings on straight lines, soft curves, strong suggestions and no detailings of the characters on the painting. This school of painting was the most coveted form between 1835-1935 and they only used vegetable colours to make their 'chitras' or visuals. Pilgrims who came to worship in the temple or visitors who simply wandered in the city could not help but take the city's memories back in the form of these Kalighat Paintings which narrated stories of Goddess Kali, Ram and Sita or Krishna with Radha, Annapurna and others.
As time passed by the patuas did not restrict themselves by only painting Hindu lords, as Mughal emprors began their invasions some of the artists converted their religion and became Muslims and narrated new stories. The patuas fascination took to the Babu-Bibis, the Britishers who lived in the south part of the city also called White Calcutta. Though the painters could not visit or see them but they read the newspapers and derived their thoughts for the painting. Researchers say that Kalighat School of painting blended two different styles which includes the oriental and the occidental form of painting.
As the century passed by the Kalighat temple and its environs are no longer home to these patua families. Most of the patuas relocated to their villages in various districts of the state. A significant amount of patuas are nestled in a village called Naya, situated in West Mednipur district, 150 kilometeres away from the city. The present day artists take the title of Chitrakar or Patua which specifies their caste status.
Most of the artisans have been living in dire conditions though things have been improving since last few years as these artists have gained prominence across the globe with their art work. Banglanatok dot com, a social enterprise in collaboration with European Union, has been working with 230 patuas in both districts in Mednipur. Ranjan Sen, creative head of Banglanatok, says, "Patuas in various districts have signature style like patuas in Murshidabad have a lot of detailing imbibed in their work. Also originally Kalighat paintings were done with only black and white, later on colours came in. The economic condition of the painters is very poor. The paintings go through personal collectors or dealers but as a community their conditions are dire. Though in last few years things have been improving."
The organisation is working on the concept of 'Shilpi bachley shilpo bachbey', if artisans live only then only will art live. One of the aspiring Patchitrakar, Moyna chitrakar had taken to begging with her husband to fend for her family but now not only she earns a healthy living she exhibits her paintings in Paris too. Sen adds, "Earlier they had a monthly income of Rs 500-600, and now the average income of the villagers is approximately Rs 7000-8000 per month." Some artisans are also fetching higher amounts.
Anwar Chitrakar, a west bengal state award recepient, had sold one of his paintings to Delhi Metro Station which fetched him Rs 80,000. Anwar's paintings have been showcased at Harley Gallery in United Kingdom and his graphic novel encapturing 1000 Kalighat pictures have released recently. Anwar, says,"People had stopped painting on Kalighat Pat. It is our family legacy to draw Kalighat Paintings, I started working from 1998 but everyone here had been doing cloth painting work but the payment was miniscule. When I first started selling I used to sell an 8 by 12 inches painting for Rs 100-150 a peice now I sell them for Rs 800 a piece on an average. I have also sold paintings for Rs 75000-85000 a piece depending upon the size of the painting."
The paintings are based on themes which is prevalent in the society, some of the themes are 9/11 strike on the world trade centre in USA, the evils of child marriage, water conservation, safe sanitation, HIV Aids awareness, naxalism in Nandigram. The painters have also innovated their paintings to give three dimensional look.Four of Anwar's paintings is part of the new artist section of the Kalighat Painting exhibition at Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata which has been put together in collaboration with Victoria and Albert Musuem in London. The exhibition is part of the cultural pact signed between Indian and Britain last year. The exhibition showcases some of the rare Kalighat Painting collections which are present with V&A London in Kolkata. The exhibition will travel through the country.
Most of the paintings on display are from the collection of John Lockwood Kipling, which he collected during his tenure in Calcutta. The museum also boasts of collections from Mukul Dey, the Indian artist and first Indian principal of Government art college in Kolkata. Dey's collections can be found across continents, though he wanted to open a museum in Calcutta but a major part of his Kalighat Paintings were acquired by W G Archer.
PLS NOTE: I had written this copy for my publisher Business Standard Ltd, enclosed link is what came on the paper finally, but this is my personal take!
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/deft-strokes/454636/
Monday, September 5, 2011
The gang of Girlz
Friendship, friends on a ship... The ship sets sail from the port and after a lot of turbulence, and some calm waters, beautiful breeze and sea gulls playing by as the ship reaches its destination, some friends manage to hold it together and some drown. Though most of the friendships drown and become a replica of Titanic, some sail through, this is a story about five friends who are sailing through for last two years, quite happily with each other. We do fight, get angry and scream at each other but we know how to manage it too. The gang of girls stands united. may be that's why Shikha has a cup which i gave, says, "Liverpool- United we stand."
This story is about my beautiful Happy Club which was formed after watching Ajab Prem ki Gajab Kahani-let me do the honours :P,
First the President- who else can be better than Me! (Jerry)
The Vice President- some people keep fighting for the post- i will give it to Nidhi Mishra (Needy)- Phd in Gerontology.. i always told her it would make more sense to research on the phenomenon called Pooja Sarkar! She says next time, i will better hire someone else.
Scretary- Kinjal Bodani (Kinju), an interior designer by profession, who has designed some of the biggest names of South Mumbai and has never managed to design any of our homes. huh.
Auditor- we actually have a certified CA who specialises in US GAAP, now beat it!- Shalini Jaiswal Gupta (Shalu/shal)
and free parcel- Shikha Sood (Tom), banker by profession, and the other profession is to incessantly fight with me and also keep a record of the same! that's why we are called Tom n Jerry, in every three minutes we clock atleast one argument, but we cant do without each other too.
On October 5th, 2009 when i came back from six months of bed ridden status, i was alloted a shared room in a new wing of my hostel, the most beautiful and one of the heritage buildings in Mumbai, the 156 year old Villa Theresa Hostel at Peddar Road. You can never miss this building you have to cross my place to reach Marine Drive!
and one by one I befriended these girls as we all lived in the same wing and we went on to become the best of friends. Some of the most beautiful moments of my life have been spent with these lovely ladies, whether it be asking each other to keep dinner, requesting the warden to not close the gate as some is "just" reaching the hostel, or signing each other's entry, washing cups and plates (i hate cleaning them), infact I once threatened nidhi and shikhu that i will eat on paper plates but i won''t wash my dishes, so shikha finally washed them..hahahaha....the deal was she wont do the dish if i ate non-veg..heck i love veg!grrrr!!!
Every night, however much tired one may be, we all used to gather at Nidhi's room defying all hostel rules and we would share our day's stories, and if her roomie wanted to sleep, the paltan would shift to Shalu's room and finally on the lounge with our laptops in arms. The one who dominated the kingdom was Kinju's colleagues- Bindu, Ashita and Pooja. I dont think any of us can ever forget them.
Nidhi's bosses and Shalu's travel to Thane every day....and her monday upwas (fast) were the best, as we all used to get to hog potato chips...and of course my DNA Money stories and Raj. We all know each other's bosses, colleagues, relatives, every gossip in the hostel and also which stocks to invest. my worst recommendation still lies with Shalu- Resurgere Mines.
The best scenes would be when someone would ask, : would anyone oil my hair" the first to jump out of the room would be Kinjal, saying, "kal mera office hai early morning" Liar!
the next to chicken out would be me, finally Shikha would come with a barter theory. But the best ones were when i used to be asked to oil Nidhi's hair, i would pour half the bottle on her hair and say, "ho gaya"...and yet she would be nice to me.
Those memories are simply etched so deep that everytime I think about them i cant stop rolling on the floor...
Once during Kinju's bday, while we were busy planning her surprise she did so much over acting the whole evening that we all felt like abandoning the entire party andthe height was when she went off to sleep at 10.30pm, trying to act like Marlyn Monroe and when i called her she acted as if it is so not necessary to cuk the cake as she is deep asleep, noone beats Kinjal in acting!
All these moments maketh our friendship a beautiful voyage, speaking of voyage, I cant help but recollect our trip to Kashid, a pristine beach 11 kms ahead of Alibaug. The occassion was Neha's bachelor party. Neha- my godmother-who has always taken care of me, i call her BSE, as she used to slap fines on companies left, right and centre while working their.
As we were on our way to Kashid, on a ferry, i was filing a story from Shalu's phone and my notes were on a piece of paper, i was doing an exclusive pre-valuation IPO copy of Nitesh Estates, and midway, Shikha offered to help, though i declined twice, everyone said, how she loves me and wants to help me. So i let her help me, and five minutes of holding the paper, she lost the grip and the paper was flying in the sky finally drowning in the Arabian sea. As the paper was flying i ran behined it and infact i would have jumped off the deck had people not stopped me, so here I was without my notes, burning with anger, screaming my lungs out at Tom and filing the copy while everyone was busy clicking pictures. Shikha is still serving the sentence for this behaviour.
We made some memorable journey's together which includes our trips to Shirdi, Shani Shignapur, Alibaug, Indore for shalu's wedding and next on the cards in my darling Nidhi's marriage to her beloved man.
we all miss those sleep less nights, talking about our break ups and bad times. we held each other through the toughest times of our lives. infact it was quite surprising that we all were going through the worst together and we all stood by each other like rock, may be thats why during these easy times, we find it funny that at times we don't have topics to talk. As we all loved going to amarson's park at Breach Candy, not always did we talk. Just sitting together on the rock, as waves splashed and watching sunset made us smile and be happy. A deep breath and refreshed we walked again.
I and Shalu now stay in Kolkata, Nidhi and Shikha are in Mumbai and Kinju is in Gujarat, but distance has not dampened the spirit of our togetherness. not even our anger at each other. and ofcourse the silly conversations. But yes, I do miss our sunday outings, not a single sunday have we all spent either shopping or eating out...trying new dishes at Smoking Lees, to ordering pizzas, farewell party at Under the banyan tree to Koyla, getting ice creams for each other and eaing dairy milk's without asking from one's bag :P i always did those who had the manners to ask never got from me!
And the bundles of chocolates and cheese and wine we had!!! Those were definitely the best times, and remember how I used to pre book movie tickets and everyone would be late by atleast 15 minutes because of me!
From taking each other to doctor's to celebrating christmas and Saraswati Puja, last two years has been one hell of a hallelujah time, we never came late, never missed our 10.30 pm deadlines, why would we, what we all wanted was to reach hostel and meet each other as there are abundance of stories to tell and hear,
I miss those times, screaming at Shikha for carelessly crossing the road, looking at Nidhi whenever I wanted some thing when noone would give, palying shalu's favorite song list, fighting for chocolates and pastries with Kinju, and yet we wouldnt walk without each other..its either we all are in it or noones in it! So now the clock has been timed as we all will dance the night out as we all eagerly await and keep shopping for my dahling needy's wedding in November!!! Wake me up when November comes!
Cheers to the Happy wala Club !!!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Daat Dard :(
Daaton ka dard toh tutey dil key dard sey zyada bura hota hai
is pain mey toh pet bhi bhugat ta hai!
ice cream dekh kar jee lalchata hai, toh seekh kabab dekhkar man rota hai
ek bite lee nahi ki ankhon mey ansun aa jatey hain
chahey kitney combiflam ya voveran kha lo
lekin kambakht daat dard mera peecha nahi chodtey hain!
wafers ka ek tukda daton mey ja fasta hai
aur ye daaton ka kafila raat bhar rulata hai
jab bhi munh mey pani dalon nas chakra jata hai
haye ye daaton ka dard bada satata hai!!!
naye naye brush aur brissles ka ad dekh
thak gayi hun mai
mehenga sey mehenga tooth paste bhi kharid kar bekar baithey hain,
filling aur root canalling karwa karwa kar dentist ko amir banaya hai
lekin ye daton ka dard kabhi na picha chodey hai!
is pain mey toh pet bhi bhugat ta hai!
ice cream dekh kar jee lalchata hai, toh seekh kabab dekhkar man rota hai
ek bite lee nahi ki ankhon mey ansun aa jatey hain
chahey kitney combiflam ya voveran kha lo
lekin kambakht daat dard mera peecha nahi chodtey hain!
wafers ka ek tukda daton mey ja fasta hai
aur ye daaton ka kafila raat bhar rulata hai
jab bhi munh mey pani dalon nas chakra jata hai
haye ye daaton ka dard bada satata hai!!!
naye naye brush aur brissles ka ad dekh
thak gayi hun mai
mehenga sey mehenga tooth paste bhi kharid kar bekar baithey hain,
filling aur root canalling karwa karwa kar dentist ko amir banaya hai
lekin ye daton ka dard kabhi na picha chodey hai!
Kumartuli- as it prepares for Maa Durga's arrival
As one walks past the dinghy bylanes of Kumartuli, the hub of the artisans of West Bengal, one can't help but notice the idols of Goddess Durga half completed and covered as she is preparing for her arrival in next 36 days.
But Syamshree Pal, 55 years, is spending sleepless nights not only completing the orders he has in hand but thinking how will he able to finish them on time, as Kumartuli is hit with severe labour shortage this year.
He needs the labourers most as his children are not interested in pursuing this career and walk on his footsteps. His 26 year old son, is a pharmaceutical marketing executive. Though it is his family business and the nuances of craftmanship has been passed on to him through last three generations and after him the business will vanish from the family.
Shyamshree says, "I have been working as an artisan since i remember but i did not want my son to get into this business as it does not pay at all. It becomes difficult to run the family also there are a lot hardships in this business. We live in shabby homes , we are awake the whole night to complete these idols and it also has health hazards as we work with mirrors used in paints."
Also this year, most of the artisans have not been able to take big orders fearing non-completion of projects as labour shortage grips Kumartuli. Some potters have hauled projects as they look for labours.
Shyamshree continues, "I have hired four labours and I pay them Rs 1000 per day including food and shelter, whereas last year we had paid an average Rs 350 per day. Most of the laborers dont come since they get 100 day jobs with NREGS and some go to Mumbai and South where they get paid more. So it becomes to difficult for us to hire people."
With 42 idols for completion Shyamshree has a long way before he can sigh in relief.
The story is same for every artisan in this area. Every artisan is now paying anything between Rs 700-Rs 1000 per day as wages as compared to Rs 350-400 last year, a jump of 133- 150 per cent.
Nimai Chandra Pal, President, Kumartuli Mritshilpi Samiti, had joined his father straight out of college and learnt the tricks of the trade by watching his father and uncles at the workshop.
Nimai says, "Due to labour trouble the production is getting hampered seriously and the labour shortage is of around 40 per cent. Infact we have not been able to take more orders and we have already started refusing customers. We are worried whether artisans would be able to finish the existing orders in hand. If last year someone was making 35 idols this year he has only 20 projects. "
If only the fear of meeting the deadline wasn't enough the artisans are faced with contraction in margins in their business.
Last year artisans of Kumartuli had dispatched orders of 4000 idols which is slated to come down by minimum 20 per cent this year, vouch artisans.
Nimai adds, " At this point we can not give exact numbers but the production shortage number will be significant."
And to add to the list of existing woes of the artisans is the increase in raw material prices and their inability to pass it on to the end consumers.
Raw materials like bamboo, mirror, paints cost, shola (pit)has increased by 30 per cent as compared to last year.
The president further explains, "Nobody is trying to adjust the increase in prices that we are facing due to increase in raw material etc, for example if an idol was sold for Rs 20,000 last year it should be selling at Rs 26,000 this year, but the prices at which we are forced to sell is around Rs 22,000-24,000. so rest of the difference has to be borne by us."
As margin contraction dents the euphoria and excitement of the artisans of Kumartuli, those craftsmen who used to make big money by selling idols to over seas clients are facing trouble too. For a change, the mahisasur in the form of financial crisis is obstructing the sales of the idols of the Goddess of Power, Durga and it is unlikely that Durga will win this time.
Montu Pal, secretary, Kumartuli Mritshilpi Samiti, says, "This year I am supplying only 2 idols overseas one to cambridge and the other to Australia. Every year I sell more but this year orders are less. This year the margins have come down by 15-20 per cent."
Idols which travel overseas fetch anything starting from Rs 1.5 lakhs to Rs 2 lakhs. also with middle men in the bay, margins are squeezing further.
Montu adds, " Foreigners would not come to such places, the bylanes are narrow and unkempt, we can not expect them to come here and walk around see our work and then place orders. Very few people get direct orders most of them have to get it from middle men for these international orders. With business not so robust this year, and middle men not cutting their margins, it is really a challenging one this year."
As Mintu leaves hurriedly, with 30 idols to complete, including a 52 feet high fibre glass Maa Durga Idol which would adron FD Block in Salt lake, a first in India, this year Durga Puja hoppers will have lesser pandals to queue.
And I walk past the lanes looking at every corner selling puja materials, after all maa ashbey baritey (Durga will come home)
But Syamshree Pal, 55 years, is spending sleepless nights not only completing the orders he has in hand but thinking how will he able to finish them on time, as Kumartuli is hit with severe labour shortage this year.
He needs the labourers most as his children are not interested in pursuing this career and walk on his footsteps. His 26 year old son, is a pharmaceutical marketing executive. Though it is his family business and the nuances of craftmanship has been passed on to him through last three generations and after him the business will vanish from the family.
Shyamshree says, "I have been working as an artisan since i remember but i did not want my son to get into this business as it does not pay at all. It becomes difficult to run the family also there are a lot hardships in this business. We live in shabby homes , we are awake the whole night to complete these idols and it also has health hazards as we work with mirrors used in paints."
Also this year, most of the artisans have not been able to take big orders fearing non-completion of projects as labour shortage grips Kumartuli. Some potters have hauled projects as they look for labours.
Shyamshree continues, "I have hired four labours and I pay them Rs 1000 per day including food and shelter, whereas last year we had paid an average Rs 350 per day. Most of the laborers dont come since they get 100 day jobs with NREGS and some go to Mumbai and South where they get paid more. So it becomes to difficult for us to hire people."
With 42 idols for completion Shyamshree has a long way before he can sigh in relief.
The story is same for every artisan in this area. Every artisan is now paying anything between Rs 700-Rs 1000 per day as wages as compared to Rs 350-400 last year, a jump of 133- 150 per cent.
Nimai Chandra Pal, President, Kumartuli Mritshilpi Samiti, had joined his father straight out of college and learnt the tricks of the trade by watching his father and uncles at the workshop.
Nimai says, "Due to labour trouble the production is getting hampered seriously and the labour shortage is of around 40 per cent. Infact we have not been able to take more orders and we have already started refusing customers. We are worried whether artisans would be able to finish the existing orders in hand. If last year someone was making 35 idols this year he has only 20 projects. "
If only the fear of meeting the deadline wasn't enough the artisans are faced with contraction in margins in their business.
Last year artisans of Kumartuli had dispatched orders of 4000 idols which is slated to come down by minimum 20 per cent this year, vouch artisans.
Nimai adds, " At this point we can not give exact numbers but the production shortage number will be significant."
And to add to the list of existing woes of the artisans is the increase in raw material prices and their inability to pass it on to the end consumers.
Raw materials like bamboo, mirror, paints cost, shola (pit)has increased by 30 per cent as compared to last year.
The president further explains, "Nobody is trying to adjust the increase in prices that we are facing due to increase in raw material etc, for example if an idol was sold for Rs 20,000 last year it should be selling at Rs 26,000 this year, but the prices at which we are forced to sell is around Rs 22,000-24,000. so rest of the difference has to be borne by us."
As margin contraction dents the euphoria and excitement of the artisans of Kumartuli, those craftsmen who used to make big money by selling idols to over seas clients are facing trouble too. For a change, the mahisasur in the form of financial crisis is obstructing the sales of the idols of the Goddess of Power, Durga and it is unlikely that Durga will win this time.
Montu Pal, secretary, Kumartuli Mritshilpi Samiti, says, "This year I am supplying only 2 idols overseas one to cambridge and the other to Australia. Every year I sell more but this year orders are less. This year the margins have come down by 15-20 per cent."
Idols which travel overseas fetch anything starting from Rs 1.5 lakhs to Rs 2 lakhs. also with middle men in the bay, margins are squeezing further.
Montu adds, " Foreigners would not come to such places, the bylanes are narrow and unkempt, we can not expect them to come here and walk around see our work and then place orders. Very few people get direct orders most of them have to get it from middle men for these international orders. With business not so robust this year, and middle men not cutting their margins, it is really a challenging one this year."
As Mintu leaves hurriedly, with 30 idols to complete, including a 52 feet high fibre glass Maa Durga Idol which would adron FD Block in Salt lake, a first in India, this year Durga Puja hoppers will have lesser pandals to queue.
And I walk past the lanes looking at every corner selling puja materials, after all maa ashbey baritey (Durga will come home)
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Ek nayi udaan
Aye parindey udtey huye, zara tham ja is pal mey,
sun iskey dil ki chah ko, udney ka hausla zara dey isey
Chala hai ye dhundney apni nayi dagar, hai iskey dil mey ek chota sa dar,
sath dey ja bankar tu iska humsafar!
andhiyan toh bas ek shan hai, zara yad dila isey un thandi sisakti patton ki theh-thahati gunj ki yadein
hai nahi mushkil ek nayi safar
jab sath ho sathiyon ki leher,
toh kya hua jo tu hai aaj akela
aye parindey bata isey tu tha kaisey uda-
band pinjdon sey nikal, paron ko tha tuney kaisey sambhala
aye parindey zara tham ley isey is pal, le ja sang isey apney seher
dur kar apney man ka sangharsh le bhar udan aaj lekar ek nai sparsh!
sun iskey dil ki chah ko, udney ka hausla zara dey isey
Chala hai ye dhundney apni nayi dagar, hai iskey dil mey ek chota sa dar,
sath dey ja bankar tu iska humsafar!
andhiyan toh bas ek shan hai, zara yad dila isey un thandi sisakti patton ki theh-thahati gunj ki yadein
hai nahi mushkil ek nayi safar
jab sath ho sathiyon ki leher,
toh kya hua jo tu hai aaj akela
aye parindey bata isey tu tha kaisey uda-
band pinjdon sey nikal, paron ko tha tuney kaisey sambhala
aye parindey zara tham ley isey is pal, le ja sang isey apney seher
dur kar apney man ka sangharsh le bhar udan aaj lekar ek nai sparsh!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
You broke my heart
You broke my heart, slithered it apart
you thought its fine, you didn't give a dime.
you thought its fine to walk on that path, never bothering to look back.
you let me cry all by, you didnt even check where was I
Love did me in, looked like a sin.
you didnt even care to find my trace
left me to fend for my own sense
I walked under the sun looking hard for a shade with all those burn
walked hard on with the rain, looking for a light to drain
Its all disdaine as i stand alone with this pain,
with a broken heart and memories uncanned.
PS-these are lyrics that i write...
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