Forty-five-year-old Jitan Chaudhary, who has continued his ancestral skills of making idols and carving decorative designs on concrete houses, is currently busy with work. With demand for idols surging ahead of the Bishwokarma Puja, he has little time to spare.
Chaudhary has been making idols and carving decorative designs for the past 28 years. He has been busy making idols for various festivals. Continuing the profession practised by his father, he has been earning his livelihood from the same work.
Chaudhary says that people with skills and dedication to their work can create employment for themselves while staying in their own communities. “As soon as I finish making idols for Bishwokarma Puja, I will start preparing idols for Dashain,” he said.
He said he remains busy throughout the year as idols of Goddess Durga are made for Dashain, followed by idols for Tihar and Chhath, and then for Saraswati Puja. As soon as one festival ends, preparations begin for the next.
When he is free from idol-making, Chaudhary works on decorative carvings on concrete houses. He said there is also steady demand for various types of decorative designs used to beautify houses. “Our work is valued differently from other types of labour. While the daily wage for other workers is Rs. 1,000, we can earn up to Rs. 1,500 a day,” he said.
Chaudhary says idol-making does not require expensive materials because locally available resources are used. Idols are made using bamboo, straw and clay found in the surrounding villages. Although the use of local materials helps reduce costs, he says skill, hard work and experience are essential to make the idols attractive.
According to local Dilli Karki of Ramdhuni-4, people with skills do not have to depend on others for employment. However, he said the younger generation does not appear interested in learning such traditional skills.
“Young people today do not pursue this work. We, however, have no shortage of work; we are extremely busy at present,” Jitan said.
He added that having a skill enables people to find work every day.
Chaudhary’s work of making idols from locally available resources not only keeps the traditional craft alive but also demonstrates the potential for creating employment within local communities.
If such skills associated with festivals and rituals can be passed on to the younger generation, they could help preserve local art and culture while also providing a source of income.
