Wardha Couple Revives Ancient Art Form ‘Tumba’ with a Modern Twist

Nagpur: A Wardha-based couple has transformed the traditional Tumba art form into a flourishing business. Originally from Chhattisgarh, Tumba involves carving images of gods and goddesses onto dried bottle gourds and pumpkins. However, Rani and Sushil Gajbhiye have reimagined it for modern tastes by creating intricately carved decorative lamps.
Rani, who inherited the craft from her family, showcased her artwork at the Women Entrepreneur's Fair, organised by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) at Reshimbagh Ground, where her stall attracted significant attention.
Crafting a single Tumba lamp is a time-intensive process. Rani primarily uses small pumpkins, which take nearly six months to mature before they can be harvested. "Once harvested, they require another three months to dry naturally. After that, they undergo processing before the delicate carving work begins. The entire process takes at least 18 months before a finished lamp is ready for sale," she explained.
Rani recalls how she first recognised Tumba's commercial potential. "For six years, I watched my family use these carved items in daily life. I initially made one as a decorative piece for my home. Later, I realised its business potential and started creating more," she told TOI.
Her venture gained traction through word of mouth, which remains her primary marketing tool. To enhance their skills, Rani and Sushil traveled to Chhattisgarh to study traditional Tumba carving techniques. "In Chhattisgarh, the focus is primarily on mythological figures. We wanted to modernise it by incorporating contemporary patterns into our designs," she said.
Today, their handcrafted lamps are priced between ₹350 and ₹800, depending on the intricacy of the carvings. "Each lamp costs us about ₹350 to produce," Rani shared. Despite the labour-intensive nature of the work, the couple remains dedicated to preserving and evolving this traditional art form, ensuring that Tumba continues to illuminate modern homes.