Bihar: It’s existential crisis for artists amid pandemic

GAYA/BHAGALPUR: The two back-to-back waves of Covid-19 pandemic have led to existential crisis for some indigenous arts in the state.
For instance, the artists at Patthakatti village under Atri block in Gaya district, which is famous for stone craft, is bearing the brunt of the pandemic. More than 50 villagers are involved in making idols of Lord Vishnu, Buddha and other Hindu deities from white marble at the village.
Deepak Gaud of Patthakatti, who deals in stone craft idols in Bodh Gaya, said the pandemic has forced them to think about an alternate source of livelihood.
“These craftsmen depend on footfall of tourists in Bodh Gaya and those performing pindadaan rituals. Although the art is still alive, the next generation is looking for other options. The craftsmen face problems in getting raw material. Earlier, white marbles were being brought from Palamu in Jharkhand. However, the same is now being brought from Jaipur and the craftsmen have to pay more,” he said.
Craftsmen involved in Manjusha painting, Bamboo art, the famous Tussar silk and Sikki art are also hit.
Dilip Kumar, a resident of Sahpur village under Sahkund block in Bhagalpur district, who had received training in Sikki art at Madhubani, is now trying to popularise it here. However, the Covid pandemic and the consequent lockdown have served a big blow to his efforts.
Alok Agarwal, president of the Eastern Bihar Industries Association, said though Sikki art is not confined to this area, survival of art and crafts is not high on government’s priority in today’s scenario.
Similarly, Patwa toli at Manpur in Gaya district, once known as ‘Manchester of Bihar’, is also facing existential crisis as production of fabric has stopped here. Magadh Bunkar Kalyan Seva Samiti president Prakash Ram Patwa said only Khadi Gramodyog and Jeevika are main buyers of the cotton fabric for preparing masks.