Splitter splatter fell the rain, We stood over a balcony looking into a street full of dripping homes, trees and wires! Soon wondering what our weavers would be doing at this kind of a time! We know how the showers mean a lot to the farmers but what does it mean to our artisans? As the summer heat rises, the folk spend most of their
dry ochre days gazing up into the sky, searching for the clouds that bring respite and greenery in the surroundings and the fields. Having spent quite a few months in the dry heated climate the first showers are typically met with a lot of joy and celebrations. The festivities begin as the rains get heavier. Sowing & singing begins as the earth get greener.
On the days with heavy rain, as visits to the fields are restricted, women get busy picking up their embroideries.
Crafts that typically slow down in the Monsoons are the ones to do with Dying & Printing, Drying in the sun and ones that need lesser humidity. Block printing almost really stops for two months, as does bandhej (tie & dye) work. The kumhars (Potters) take a break after a busy summer. The artisans who are also engaged in agricultural activities direct their energies to the fields.
As the Basket weaver sings the lovely song “Bhijat aawe Dhaniya” (wet paddy crop) in the green fields along with making his baskets. A good rain would also mean a good amount of grass to cut and weave while he sings at his doorstep the following year as well. A good rain would mean the Kumhars clay tiles are well utilized. A good rain would mean a lot of water for the dyers’ colours.
A good rain means a lot to our artisans, as it means to you!
Happy Showers! Happy shopping!
good work here
Yeah, you too!
🙂