Modi forgets his promise; Telangana’s Naqashi artisans live in despair

However, though Modi promised a special policy for uplift of the community, he appears to have forgotten them after assuming power

Nirmal: The handicraft artisans from Naqashi community from Nirmal are known for carving out exquisite wood toys for home decor and for children to play with. However, the beautiful toys are yet to change the fate of their makers, with the artisans struggling due to lack of support for the traditional craft from both the Centre and State government.

Hopes of the artisans, who are already witnessing many from their community moving to other lucrative fields, were rekindled when Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured to extend support to the traditional craft during his Lok Sabha election campaign in last March. However, though Modi promised a special policy for uplift of the community, he appears to have forgotten them after assuming power. They are reeling under an unprecedented severe crisis caused by significant dip in sales, which began during the Covid-19 lockdown and is still continuing, apart from a surge in prices of raw material.

Rajashekhar N, an artisan, said they had pinned many hopes on the Prime Minister’s assurance, but no concrete progress was made in that direction. He wanted Modi to realise his promise and bring about change in the lives of the artisans who had been depending on the profession for around four centuries in Nirmal town.

The artisans rued that though there was a great demand for the toys from customers, they were facing acute shortage of soft wood from Poniki tree, scientifically known as Jiuotia Rotteri Fromis, which is used to make the toys. They requested the State government to allow them to cut the trees and grow the trees in the forests in order to protect the vanishing craft.

The artisans have been relying on unique handcraft for 400 years. They aesthetically chisel out and hand-paint wood toys of birds, animals, fruits and various decorative items. They operate an exclusive store to sell the beautiful toys in the heart of Nirmal district centre at affordable prices.