HYDERABAD: The decision to hold early elections may have received political brickbats, but it has come as a blessing in disguise for fifteen city-based families residing in makeshift huts near the exhibition grounds in Nampally for the last few decades. This impoverished community of bamboo artisans used to earn a living making baskets, brooms, carpets and mats.
The combined earnings of a family, then, was around Rs 400-500. But now, there are not many takers for their craft, forcing many to switch and become daily wage labourers.
Thanks to the poll season now, there is a sudden spurt in demand for bamboo craftsmen, even though it’s not entirely their skill set that is in demand. Of late, politicians have been approaching them for flag poles and bamboo placards. Thanks to the revived demand, each family, on an average, is now making Rs 2,000-3,000 a day.
Take the case of 38-year-old G Bhagyamma. Every day, she struggles to find work at construction sites while her husband continues to practice their traditional craft. “Now, I have temporarily quit my work to help my husband. We have orders to supply different political merchandise and we have deadlines to meet.”
S Raju, another craftsman says requirements are different, but orders come in bulk. “Considering increasing demand, cost of bamboo is also rising,” he says. “Cloth required for banner and flags are provided by political parties themselves.” Raju hopes the increase in revenue this season will help sustain his children’s education.
Cost of products made by them depend on size. Flags on a foot-long stick cost Rs 3, and for 2 and 6 feet poles, the cost ranges between Rs 7 and Rs 12 a piece. But why go to a craftsman for a simple job like getting a flag pole? “Even cutting bamboo stems into small pieces requires skills and that why we are important,” says Raju.