BANGALORE - For Mansingh Dhananjay, carrying forward the tradition of pithoro painting is not just a source of his liveleihood but an art form handed over by his ancestors. Thus, no matter even if his art fetches him peanuts, Mansingh, 40, is determined to carry forward the legacy in spite of all odds.

“I love the art form. I have inherited it from my father. My son has also learnt the art form. No matter we fight abject poverty, as our art form hardly brings good money, but we have no other alternative but to carry forward the tradition,” Mansingh, told IANS, on the sidelines of a fair organised by Gurjari (Gujarat State Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd.) at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath here.

The colourful traditional festival of Gujarat will continue till July 12.

“Pithoro painting is not done for any decorative or ornamental purpose. Pithoro, or ‘Babo Pithoro’ as the tribals would call it, is an important deity. Thus my art form is a kind of veneration to the Almighty also,” added Mansingh, an artist from Chhota Udaipur taluk of Vadodara district in Gujarat.

Pithoro is painted by a group of ‘professionals’ belonging to the tribal families of the Rathawa caste. Traditionally, the art form was used to decorate walls. Canvases have replaced walls in recent years.

Like Mansingh, Hari (who only writes his first name), a craftsperson from Bhuj in Kutch, Gujarat, and an expert in the art of making earthenware, said it was no profitable business.

“Although earthenware has taken a commercial place and every house is keen to have such articles in their daily use, yet the artisans are lowly paid ones and we struggle to survive,” rued Hari.

“But I am happy that people of the city have loved my work and are buying them generously,” smiled Hari.

Hari has brought some attractive bowls, clay utensils, pottery, kettles, cups, pots, and many more items for art lovers of Bangalore. Kutch and Saurashtra in Gujarat are noted for their beautiful pottery.

The pottery has a unique pale creamy colour which is complemented with mirrorwork and motifs.

Janakiben, who has come to the fair with her bead jewellery, said her job was demanding and just about provided her and her family two square meals.

“We’re rich in our art forms, but monetarily we are poor. But we love our art form. Janakiben, who makes jewellery from tiny coloured beads, is also from Chhota Udaipur taluk.

“It takes me more than three hours to make a simple necklace. They have become very popular and are in great demand,” she smiled.

In India, the crafts sector is still the second largest provider of employment after agriculture, and a number of agricultural communities depend on crafts for their survival in periods of drought, famine or natural disasters. Many poor Indians have succeeded in earning their bread and butter by practising their craft.

“In India, which has a rich cultural heritage, the arts and crafts can contribute significantly towards the national economy and in raising the standard of living. However, that can happen only if artisans are supported well by the government,” said an official of Gurjari.

“As craft items with ‘ethnic’ motifs have become a hobbyhorse for the elite, a whole industry has grown around them in which the craftspersons themselves are the last and least to be rewarded as middlemen take away all the commissions,” added the official, who did not wish to be named.

(Maitreyee Boruah can be contacted at m.boruah@ians.in)