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ARTISANS

  • Artisans

Artisans

Another important element in study of any craft includes a proper study on the life of the artisans and workers who pursue the craft.

Here is a complete research on the artisans lifestyle, their economic background, social background, a little about their family and historical background and also the problems faced by them in their work or at their workplace.

Most of the workers indulged in this craft are happy with their work. But there is a generalized conception of not allowing their further generations to continue the craft. All the artisans want their younger ones to study and do some vocational courses. They have full hopes that their children will be better earning if they study high and pursue some vocational activity. Traditional crafts do not pay well moreover they require a lot of time and labour.

RANAMAL KHATRI THE OWNER

Social Background

  • Ajrakh has been his mode of work since 3 generations
  • Came in 1947 with his family from Pakistan
  • Has been living in Barmer since then
  • Learned ajrakh printing at a very early age
  • After doing work under someone for quite a few years, now he has his own factory of ajrakh and is the director of the company

Family

  • Mother, father, wife, 5 children
  • All the children are studying
  • Eldest child is 16 years of age and the youngest one is 10 years old.
  • Eldest son is working along with him,

Life Style

  • Comes to factory by 8 a.m. and allots work to each worker
  • Goes for lunch in the afternoon around 1-2 p.m.
  • Comes by 3 p.m. from lunch and finally shuts down the factory by 8 p.m.
  • Mr. Khatri believes in doing work with honesty and is completely dedicated for ajrakh printing, his traditional craft.

About Ajrakh : Told by Mr. Khatri

  • Ajrakh basically begun in china, where natural dyes were taken from India. Gradually the work started in India also by the Muslims.
  • There are proofs of ajrakh fabric found from 3000 BC, where a statue from MOHENJODARO was discovered wearing the scarf of ajrakh printing.
  • Traditionally ajrakh was done for Muslims for their wedding. It was inevitable for any Muslim wedding as they considered it auspicious.
  • Even today ajrakh is in great demand in Muslims, but lot of other communities also buys ajrakh as dress materials or home furnishings.
  • Ajrakh was worn by rich people and was basically demanded by sindhi’s and Muslims for religious and cultural purposes.

BHARAT KUMAR

Family

  • Mother, father, 2 elder brothers and two sisters, 2 younger brothers
  • One elder brother works in Jodhpur
  • Bharat wants to study and go to school and very and doesn’t like to work.

Social Background

  • Comes from Natvatala village (Pakistan border)
  • Lives with his aunt in Barmer
  • Has come to earn money
  • Doesn’t go to school

Other Information

  • Bharat helps in all the little work done at the workshop and gets around 800-1000 Rs. Monthly.
  • His Father works as a farmer in village.
  • Bharat wants to study and go to school and very honestly tells us that he doesn’t like to work, but has to do this to earn some money.

BHOJRAJ

Social Background

  • Eldest Son of Ratna Devi, working here since 7-8 years
  • Studied up tol 8th class.
  • Younger Brother works in a Chemical Factory in Barmer
  • Learned Ajrakh Printing in 4-6 months.

Economic Status

Income from Ajrakh ( Per Piece)

  • Single Bed - Rs.5
  • Suit Cover - Rs.2/ Meter
  • Double Bed - Rs.12

Earns around 80- 100 Rs. Per day

LAXMAN

Social Background

  • Living In Barmer Since 39 Years.
  • Working At Mr. Khatri’s Factory Since 12 Years
  • Has Learned Work From Home, Where His Forefathers Have Been Doing This Work.
  • Studied Till 8 th Class

Family

  • Mother, Father, Wife, 1 Sister And 1 Brother, 2 Sons And One Daughter.

Economic Background

  • There are three earning hands in his family.
  • His father also does Ajrakh Printing from home.
  • His Brother is working in Chemical Factory in Jodhpur.
  • His Mother and Sister does Embroidery and Patch work from home.
  • Earns sufficient for the family.

PREMCHAND

Social Background

  • Oldest worker at Mr. Khatri’s Workshop.
  • Can not hear and speak.
  • Maestro of Ajrakh Printing.
  • Does mostly intricate Patterns.
  • His forefathers have been working since 3 generations.

RATNA DEVI

Social Background

  • Has Been Doing Ajrakh Since 30 Years
  • Working At Mr. Khatri’s Workshop From Last 14 Years
  • Learned Ajrakh Printing From Forefathers
  • Comes From Azad Chowk (2 Kms. From The Workshop)
  • Work Has Been Passed From Forefathers.

Family

  • 2 Sons And One Daughter
  • Daughter Is Of Marriageable Age
  • One Of Her Son Is Working With Her.
  • Her Second Son Is Working In A Chemical Factory In Barmer.

Economic Background

  • She And Her Son Are Earning.
  • Her Daughter Does Little Embroidery Work From Home.
  • She Is Satisfied With The Earning That Comes To Home.

Income From Ajrakh

  • Single Bed- Rs.5
  • Suit Cover- Rs.2/ Meter
  • Double Bed- Rs.12
  • Earns Around 80- 100 Rs. Per Day.

SATYANARAYAN

Social Background

  • Living In Barmer Since 32 Years
  • Working At Mr. Khatri’s Factory Since 20 Years
  • Has Learned Work From Home, Where His Forefathers have been doing this Work Since 2 Generations.
  • Studied Till 8 th Class
  • Stays At 500 Meters Distance From The Workplace

Family

  • Mother, Father, Younger Brother, Wife And 2 Children
  • Children Not Studying.

Life Style

  • Comes To Work By 8:30 A.M. And Leaves By 6-7 P.M., After That Spend Time With Family.
  • Holiday Is Not Fixed In Particular, But Takes Off Only Once Or Twice In A Month And On Purnima Is Their Main Holiday
  • Loves To Spend Time With Family And Once In A Month Goes For A Day Out At Nearby laces With His Family .

Income From Ajrakh Printing (Per Piece )

  • Single Bed- Rs. 7
  • Suit Cover- Rs.2/ Meter
  • Double Bed- Rs. 14
  • Earns Around 100-125 Rs. Per Day

Perception About Work

  • Enjoy Doing Ajrakh Printing.
  • No Chemicals Used, So There Is No Harm To Body.
  • Problem Comes Only In Rainy Season When Work Has To Be Completely Stopped.
  • Best Season Is Summer As Color Dries Fast.

SOME OTHER WORKERS

  • Telaram (35 Years) - Working Here Since 10 Years
  • Champalal (37 Years) – Working Since 6-7 Years
  • Tukaram (28 Years) – Working Since 5 Years

There Are 25 Workers In Total At Mr. Khatri’s Workshop, (Including 8- 10 Helpers)

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