GOLAKGANJ, Nov 3 � Situated close to the Dhubri district, Debottar Hasdaha is a small sleepy village that most people on their way to have a glimpse of the traditional sholapith craft would probably not even notice. However, this village houses about 200 establishments each, employing 8 to 10 artisans who work for long hours under the able guidance of a master craftsman and produce valuable items of sholapith craft.
Debottar Hasdaha, located at a distance of approximately 40 km from Dhubri town, does not present anything remarkable at first sight. The narrow winding roads have houses on either side, crudely built of either mud or bricks, with thatched roofs. The place is dotted with small, shallow ponds covered with algae and flanked by tall coconut trees. There is a village square too, the central feature of which is a huge banyan tree under which the villagers sit and indulge in adda sessions whenever they want a respite from their work.
Narendra Nath Malakar and Karendra Nath Malakar are two brothers of Dhurbi district who are skilled artisans of sholapith craft. It is worth mentioning that their father Sudhir Chandra Malakar was a master artisan of the solapith craft. He represented Indian folk culture from Assam in Sweden in 1987 and in Japan in 1988.
Karen Malakar, master craftsman of the area said that �sholapith is now a languishing craft in Dhubri district. Sholapith is a very ancient craft, the references of which are found in the Hindu Shastra. This craft is practiced by the Malakar community as their heritage, besides Debottar Hasdah. This art has now struck roots in nearby villages like Dhepdhepi, Uchita, Golakganj, Agomony, Kaldova, Satrassal, Thapusabari, Gauripur and Moterjhar. The craftspersons produce items of sholapith crafts like traditional Kali mask and Goda putul. The Malakar community also weaves garlands from flowers, besides fabricating animals, fruits etc following the sholapith tradition. It may be mentioned that the sholapith craft items are in high demand in the local market, mainly the traditional Kali mask, Goda putul, Manasha putul, Jokha putul, Kali putul etc, which are used for puja purpose or as decorative items.
The raw material of the craft is pith, which is collected from the river or beel. As the material is seasonal, it is very difficult to collect. Though Debottar Hasdah village has been blessed with electricity since the past few years, however, power failures are frequent.
As the designing and making of sholapith craft is carried out in the homes of the artisans, power cuts obviously results in the work being adversely hit. Kerosene is also searce. Irregular supply of kerosene is a cause for despair to the common man, and more so, to the artisans who depend on it to fill up his blow lamps that are used for their work.
Another cause for frustration among the artisans is that being perennially short of cash, they often have to say no to bulk orders that come their way, something that could very well improve their economic condition. Faced with such problems, it is indeed amazing that the artisans have carried on with their trade by displaying much patience and an indomitable spirit.
As the day ends and night arrives, the master craftsman of sholapith craft of Debottar Hasdah put out their lamps and store their tools and prepare to recharge their batteries for another gruelling day ahead of them.