Elegant, flexible, light-weight, handmade, convenient, cheap and trendy too.
Cane furniture has been an antique heritage to India, yet, over the years, a stark decline has been noticed in this industry.
Most shopkeepers in the city, who sell cane furniture, have been at the receiving end of this situation.
“I have been in this business for 40 years.
Post 2000, the sale of cane furniture has decreased manifold.
Although they are more durable than the other wooden furniture, customers prefer fashionable wooden furniture,” says Eayaz Pasha, a shopkeeper who sells cane furniture at Shivajinagar.
There are multiple reasons that prevent customers from buying cane furniture.
According to some shopkeepers, the primary reason is the recent rise in price of cane furniture due to taxes that shopkeepers need to pay to the government and Forest Department).
Besides, there is huge transport cost and the labour cost has also increased.
Two, customers are going for new designs and styles which are found in wooden furniture.
Three, cane-furniture are now regarded as an economical option hence people are choosing modern-age décor over cane products.
More importantly, people have become very conscious of their image in society and hence their buying criteria also depends on the cost of the product, besides the style statement.
“These days everyone is enthralled by Italian designs, custom-made and modern furniture.
Nobody wants to buy cane furniture because these are regarded as cheaper alternatives,” says Arun Murthy, an interior decorator.
“The labourers who make these furniture need to be paid on a continual basis.
Obviously, we cannot stop paying them if we are not having any sale.
And then there are so many taxes which are to be paid,” said Eayaz with a sigh of disappointment.
Despite the furniture being eco-friendly consumers are more inclined towards design and style.
“Over the years the designs of cane furniture have not changed at all.
But if you look at imported cane furniture, their designs are stunning.
The problem is because they look drab,” says Alex Varkey, another interior decorator.
Unlike many countries, Indian designers have not experimented much with this medium.
The labourers still stick to the old designs.
Abroad, cane has become a major hit as they are processed and made stylish.
Maybe it is time designers experiment with cane and revive its glory.