TEZPUR, Nov 25 � This is one of the typical cases of hardship, long struggle and the ultimate achievment of success by the denizens of Teleria, a clay artiste�s hub some ten km away from the district headquarter, Tezpur falling under Tezpur LAC in Sonitpur district.
Khemeswar Bora, a 35-year-old skilful clay artiste is now reaping success after years of arduous struggle when at times, he and his family members were so susceptible that the very survival of their families were at stake and to make both ends meet, they had to work as daily wage earners and also sometimes as newspaper hawkers to supplement the family income.
Now, gradually a change has come in the life of Khemeswar and his family. While interacting with this reporter Khemeswar Bora said that he is now finding a respectful way of earning by making various clay items including idols of different Hindu Gods and Goddesses during various Puja seasons and sometimes of statues of prominent persons.
It should be mentioned here that at a time when a section of clay artists coming from outside Assam have been emerging in the market, Khemeswar Bora has been able to attract the people through his business. �The job of making idols and statues is not only the source of their livelihood but an economically viable way to build a career,� he said adding that the puja a season is very special to him.
Interested in the line from his childhood, Khemeswar could draw the attention of the common people by making an idol of goddess Saraswati while he was a student of class IX. Now he has found a way to earn his livelihood, giving much sucour to his family.
However, the young artiste who not only makes idols from clay, but also with concrete things like sand and cement is nowadays facing certain problems. Expressing his grievances, he stated that though he intends to uphold the line in the long run by encouraging other artists, pointing out the economically viability of the profession, the banks and other financing agencies are yet to encourage this profitable business. �Following scarcity of materials for making idols like hay, earth (hira mati, a kind of particular soil/clay used for making idol), bamboo, wood etc., sometimes we have to be stagnant� he maintained.
The artiste who is also a poet and a fan of late music maestro, Dr Bhupen Hazarika has this time made a statue of him. Expressing his pleasure, Bora said that attracted with his artistic caliber, an order of a full size statue of the music legend has been placed for the Bokakhat Sahitya Sabha.
Bora was awarded with the title of �Seuj Kumar� by the North-West Tezpur Sahitya Sabha for his creative art. However, it is matter of fact that this upcoming artiste is yet to receive adequate recognition. Till date, he has received no government help apart from the Rs 10,000 provided by the Balipara Development Block under the Kalpotoru Scheme.