Bhubaneswar: Has staggered from the Covid crisis last year, the second wave had handled a body blow to thousands of craftsmen, weavers and workers in Odisha.
Given that most of their products are included in the non-essential category, they cannot sell it during locking, placing life and livelihoods at stake.
Sumati Behera, a 55-year-old Sabai grass craftsman from Suradia Village in Blok Balapal has a stack of handmade products lying in the corner of her house.
He used to attend at least seven to eight small and large exhibitions in a year and produced more than Rs 15,000 from each by selling his products.
But now with restrictions on exhibitions during locking, he has not had income for several months now.
“The government has allowed the sale of important items.
Our products may not be important to others but they are very important to us because we get our livelihoods from them.
All of our savings run out and there is no income,” Behera said.
The Association of Odisha and Urban (Orroad) producers works with 10,000 craftsmen in all 30 districts.
These craftsmen make various products ranging from natural fibers such as coir grass and Sabai, cloth applique products, terracotta products from clay, dhocra brass jewelry, paper mâché, wood carvings, stone paintings, painting Pattachitra, and more.
Ortra has helped them by accessing raw materials, designs, providing markets, and in utilizing social security benefits.
Because the pandemic reached last March, sales had stopped, leading to a terrible situation for artists.
“The artisan handloom and handicrafts in this country experience the longest struggle to survive and there is no hope that is seen because there are third wave predictions.
We, through Orma, has provided dried rations to more than 2,000 families who are in a very difficult situation.
The need for immediate support for craftsmen who face the financial crisis, “said Ashok Sahu, Chief Executive Ortra.
Sahu said though Orma had started digital marketing their products through social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, sales were too little compared to their sales in the pre-covid period.
In addition, some funds were appointed through crowdfunding and with the help of other voluntary organizations to support craftsmen.