Four housewives keep alive traditional bamboo craft inherited from forefathers

At a time technology brought all modern gadgets and equipment just a click away, keeping the traditional means of livelihood alive emerged as a big challenge.

The advent of technology has compelled many traditional businesses either to shut or adapt but the experience in ‘Kulabari’--an obscure village in Kalyanpur is starkly opposite.
The village derived its name “Kula” from the traditional winnowing trays made of bamboo. These special trays have a specified task to perform. These are generally used for cleaning harvested grain. It is considered as an inseparable part of a rural household across the state. Even in the capital city, it is omnipresent in kitchens.  
The bamboo and cane craft of this village has gained wide popularity across the state. Although the dependence on bamboo and cane craft as a means of livelihood has reduced substantially, the villagers have kept the tradition alive.  
Late Ramendra Das and his wife Premamoyi Das were regarded as authority in the bamboo and cane craft who inspired many of the villagers to join the trade. Many of their followers might have detected themselves with the traditional craftsmanship but four women of their family namely Sabita Das, Rakhi Das, Anjali Das and Lakhi Das — are carrying forward the family tradition.

Sabita Das said, they have been engaged in bamboo work for nearly 40 years and are striving to uphold the legacy of their late in-laws. “The family manufactures traditional items such as kula, baskets and sieves using bamboo and cane,” she said.
Artisans of the village, however, face multiple challenges. “The growing dominance of cheaper plastic made options has reduced demand for bamboo household goods. In addition, the price of raw bamboo and cane has increased steadily, squeezing profit margins. Despite the difficulties, we are managing to keep the traditional craftsmanship of our village. Around 100 and 150 items are made and sold during weekly markets,” she said, adding that often they had to cut short prices to ensure that stock is emptied on a weekly basis.
A trader at Maharajganj market in Agartala said he has been sourcing bamboo products from Kulabari for around 15 years.