Meeting with Sir Gajjar lal.
He is indeed the paramount of all the artisans at Pethpur . A marvel in himself Gajjar has been adorned with many national and international awards. His master pieces are kept in the most prestigious museums of art and craft across the world like Victoria Albert Museum in Londan.He has been covered by media a lot of time but it is such an irony to see Gajjar Lal (blind ,age 82)in small house with no one to take care of him , waiting for his Rs 1000 pension ,which never arrives. His art is dieing within him self. He calls himself Saudagar of Saudgairi(pahari style of carving intricate motifs on wood and metal) which he exportes to Siam (modern Thailand) in early in 1960,s.He has been in this business from the past 60 years ,when britishers were ruling India. He says that at that time there were almost 30 factories in Pethpur itself but now with
He is indeed the paramount of all the artisans at Pethpur . A marvel in himself Gajjar has been adorned with many national and international awards. His master pieces are kept in the most prestigious museums of art and craft across the world like Victoria Albert Museum in Londan.He has been covered by media a lot of time but it is such an irony to see Gajjar Lal (blind ,age 82)in small house with no one to take care of him , waiting for his Rs 1000 pension ,which never arrives. His art is dieing within him self. He calls himself Saudagar of Saudgairi(pahari style of carving intricate motifs on wood and metal) which he exportes to Siam (modern Thailand) in early in 1960,s.He has been in this business from the past 60 years ,when britishers were ruling India. He says that at that time there were almost 30 factories in Pethpur itself but now with
only 3 factories left this art will not last more than a decade.
He wanted to start up with his printing set up as well but customers never paid. Payment has always been a issue. The customers paid to the printers but the block makers always suffered. Even after conducting workshops at various place like Pragati Maidan for three years,In begium international trade fare ,in bangaedesh etc.this ancient art is dying and there is no help from the govt.Gajjar himself has been a part os ATS(apprentice training scheme) but the since the passion is a must to continue with a profession like this so everyone is now involving themselves in other jobs.
He wanted to start up with his printing set up as well but customers never paid. Payment has always been a issue. The customers paid to the printers but the block makers always suffered. Even after conducting workshops at various place like Pragati Maidan for three years,In begium international trade fare ,in bangaedesh etc.this ancient art is dying and there is no help from the govt.Gajjar himself has been a part os ATS(apprentice training scheme) but the since the passion is a must to continue with a profession like this so everyone is now involving themselves in other jobs.
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