The popular brassware industry of Atalapur, Samantapur, laxminagar, Kundapatana, Balipatana and other villages in Jajpur district is presently facing a major challenge to sustain itself following a sharp erosion in the demand for its products in the market.
The brassware is an important part of the handicraft and cottage industry of the State and is known for its unmatched range of brass antiques and brass decorative.
Over 400 Kansari families, engaged in the well-known brass industry of these villages, are confronted with the biggest dilemma of their lives. These families are struggling to survive due to popularity of stainless steel utensils and other modern synthetic kitchenware.
For the last couple of decades, the local brass industry is facing a gradual decline, said Alekha Sahoo (67) of Kundapatana.
“No new orders are coming, and even our old goods are just dumped in the storehouses,” said Prafulla Sahoo, an artisan of Samantapur.
The brass dealers and traders said the cheap exports from China were flooding the markets and denting their sales.
lack of adequate Government support to the brass industry here has ruined brassware craft. It has become very challenging to sustain under the prevailing conditions, said Bhupati Sahoo, a local craftsman.
“These families are gradually giving up their traditional craft of moulding brass utensils and other items. Today, the brass craftsmen are limited to just 80 families. There were around 200 families engaged in the brass business two decades back. But, gradually, it has started declining,” said Narayan Sahoo (60), an artisan of laxminagar.
A major reason attributed to the downfall of the cottage industry is the lack of funds and required machineries which have added to the worsening situation.
Craftsmen believe their industry can survive only if it has Government support. “This occupation has been a source of our livelihood since the time of our ancestors. However, due to the lack of money, we are suffering a lot. It has also started affecting the kids badly. Even the business is now on the verge of extinction,” said Rajendra Sahoo , another brass utensil maker of Kundapatana.
“We need some assistance in terms of finance and machineries for its revival and modernization,” he added.
Two brass and bell cooperative societies which once catered to the needs of the artisans have now become defunct. The authority is not taking any steps to revive the society, lamented Prakash Sahoo, an artisan.
There are some workers who have survived the fluctuation in the demand. They make gift articles, like flower vases, photo frames and ornamental buntings for threshold.
Thanks to the popularization of Vastu Shatra in the urban areas, many persons now purchase brass made bells, laughing Buddha idols, turtles, frogs, dragons and other items prescribed under the Shastra, said sources.