A sudden spell of unseasonal rain in Faridabad has shattered the hopes of impoverished artisan families who spent months toiling day and night in anticipation of decent earnings during Dussehra. Living in makeshift roadside shanties, these families dedicate their entire year to crafting effigies of Ravana and Kumbhakarna, relying on the festive season for their primary livelihood. However, the downpour has soaked and ruined several of their creations, plunging these vulnerable households into a severe financial crisis as they grapple with an estimated loss of 50,000 to 60,000 rupees.
Months of Preparation Behind Each Effigy
The artisans shared that anticipating high demand for Dussehra, they began their craft work roughly two months in advance. Ranging from small five-foot structures to massive models towering 25 to 30 feet high, constructing these effigies requires bamboo, paper, and considerable physical effort. Workers often sustain cuts and scrapes on their hands and feet during the construction process, yet entire families pitch in with the hope of a profitable festival season.
Pricing and Scale of the Effigies
An artisan named Pintu explained that they build effigies of varying dimensions, starting from five feet up to 30 feet. A standard 10-foot Ravana effigy is typically priced around 10,000 rupees, while larger versions command prices of 13,000 rupees or more, depending on the specific dimensions. Unfortunately, the rain caused the paper components to absorb water and disintegrate, rendering many finished models unsellable and putting their entire investment at risk.
Assessing the Financial Damage
Pintu stated that the rain-induced damage amounts to at least 50,000 to 60,000 rupees, encompassing both the ruined materials and the extensive labor invested in them. This figure represents their hard-earned capital rather than net profit, as the revenue from sales must also cover raw material expenses and other operational costs. With Dussehra only days away, the workers have very little time left to either salvage the damaged items or build new ones from scratch.
The Pain of Unmet Promises
Highlighting their plight, Pintu noted that while many people visit to ask about the damage, no one steps forward to offer actual assistance. The soggy weather has destroyed their paper structures, leaving them deeply worried about feeding their families. Another artisan, Shiba, emphasized the immense physical toll the work takes, noting that despite hands and feet getting bruised during construction, they prepare every year because it remains their primary source of income.
A Threat to Daily Livelihoods
These artisan families reside in roadside slums where even young children pitch in to help with the effigy-making process in hopes of earning extra money during the festival. The unexpected downpour has dealt a severe blow to these aspirations, leaving them anxious about how they will recover their losses and manage daily household expenses. With Dussehra fast approaching, the workers can only hope that their surviving pieces find buyers so they can recover at least a portion of their invested capital.
