Spice garland makers in doldrums

HAVERI: The pandemic has dealt a body blow to makers of the famous ‘cardamom garland’, which has been used to felicitate dignitaries including the President and Prime Minister. Restrictions on functions such as weddings, government functions, and cultural events have debilitated families involved in the business.
The Patavegar family, which has been involved in making cardamom garlands for decades and has even won the Karnataka Rajyotsava award, says more than 50 families have been involved in the traditional craft and all are in financial distress. Government functions and cultural events are their main sources of revenue, but the government has banned all events to curb the spreading of Covid infections. Business is down by over 60%.
“We used at least three quintals of cardamom every year before Covid-19, but now it has reduced to 80kg,” said Haider Ali Patavegar. “The ban on public events and cultural functions across the nation has left us very worried.”
He said while curbs have been relaxed recently, chief minister Basavaraj Bommai’s order to party workers and supporters not to use garland and gifts has worsened the crisis. “The government needs to revoke this order for business to pick up,” Haidar Ali said.
Another garland maker said: “We have been making garlands for three generations. We don’t know any other business.”
Unique art
The Patavegar family has been involved in making cardamom garlands for 75 years. Cardamom pods are washed in saline water and mixed with bleaching powder for a week. The pods are then fumigated for 24 hours, washed, and dried. This makes the pods white and shiny. These are stringed together using decorative materials such as silk thread, beads, and wool.
These garlands are used in weddings and on statues besides events such as felicitating politicians and social workers. From Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi, many PM have been felicitated with these garlands. Makers say they also get orders from the UK and US, but business has now fallen.