Dussehra gone, effigy makers struggle to make ends meet
4 Oct 2014 6:07 AM IST
‘We work for the entire month during festive season. This is the only time in the year when we make some good money. We take leave from our regular jobs to make effigy. We make these effigies with passion’ said Sagar Rana, an effigy maker for the past 10 years. As a regular job, Sagar works in a saloon at Tagore Garden.
Interestingly, while effigy making is the source of income for them, some don’t see them burning for ‘emotional attachment’
with them. Mahendra Pal , who is in the profession for the last 30 years laughs off by saying ‘I myself don’t watch Ravan Dahan and I don’t even allow my children. It is difficult for us to see all our hard work burnt to ashes.’
Referring to Ravan as their annadata, he says, ‘I learnt this art from my father. This is the only time
of the year when we are own boss and also earn well. But for the next one year we will have to depend on our regular low-paying jobs. We also become emotionally attached to those effigies. It is hard to see the effigy getting burnt.’
Another boy Deepak, who learnt the art by observing his elder brother said he loves making effigies but can’t see them burning. ‘I love making Ravana. It is my hobby. Though my parent ask me and my brother not to make effigies but we enjoy doing it. We wake up early to make them. But we don’t see Ravan Dahan on Dessehra.
Interestingly, while effigy making is the source of income for them, some don’t see them burning for ‘emotional attachment’
with them. Mahendra Pal , who is in the profession for the last 30 years laughs off by saying ‘I myself don’t watch Ravan Dahan and I don’t even allow my children. It is difficult for us to see all our hard work burnt to ashes.’
Referring to Ravan as their annadata, he says, ‘I learnt this art from my father. This is the only time
of the year when we are own boss and also earn well. But for the next one year we will have to depend on our regular low-paying jobs. We also become emotionally attached to those effigies. It is hard to see the effigy getting burnt.’
Another boy Deepak, who learnt the art by observing his elder brother said he loves making effigies but can’t see them burning. ‘I love making Ravana. It is my hobby. Though my parent ask me and my brother not to make effigies but we enjoy doing it. We wake up early to make them. But we don’t see Ravan Dahan on Dessehra.
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