MSF Blog

Nathula Pidikaka, a Dhokra artisan of Gatiguda village in Rayagada is into the craft for the last 40 years. The tribal families of the place earn their livelihood by making dhokra jewelleries in the local markets for years now. Earlier, there was an NGO in the village which gave orders for some metal products and jewelleries to them. But the Master being a ruthless one, didn’t care of the issues faced by the artisans. If the product didn’t reach on time or if there is damage in any product, it led to non-payment to the artisans. Nathula, not having any other source of income, faced a lot of troubles to take care of his family. Moreover, he had to travel to Bhubaneswar for getting the orders as the Office of the NGO was in the state capital. That incurred a huge cost to Nathula, who wasgoinh through a financial crunch.

In the meantime, Mahashakti Foundation with the support of NABARD, started Project Gramya Vikas Nidhi to form and nurture Off Farm Producer Organisation (OFPO) in the existing clusters of Dhokra artisans in Jhigidi & Gatiguda village. It acted as a blessing for all the artisans of the village. Nathula with his wife joined the Training Program by Mahashakti Foundation on new designs and existing skill upgradation, where trainers from Cuttack & Chhattisgarh were invited to impart proper knowledge on how to make the products with good finishing. The raw materials is also made available to the artisans on credit whenever required from the raw materials bank. After getting the payment for their sold products, they can return back the money.

For proper understanding of the craft, the artisans of the village were taken for exposure visits to Dhenkanal dhokra cluster. And for selling the products, they are being taken to different exhibition so as to showcase the craft all over India. The products are also sold online through Facebook and different other channels. And the income is directly transferred to the bank account. Nathula and his wife with the support of Mahashakti Foundation & NABARD started earning a decent amount that is enough for the sustenance of the family.

With this, we could achieve two important things. First, we could support the artisans and provided them with an income generating opportunity so that they can earn for their living. Second, we could at least try to revive the long lost wax technique of dhokra art, which is a symbol of tradition for the people of the tribal community. This in turn helped many such Nathulas and families to survive the legacy of the artisans.