Preparations for the festival of Vijayadashami have gathered tremendous pace in the Manpur locality of Abu Road, located in Rajasthan's Sirohi district. Local artisans are working tirelessly to build effigies of Ravana, which are set ablaze during the annual celebration to mark the triumph of righteousness over evil. In Manpur, approximately 15 members of a single family are dedicating their full time and energy to create more than two dozen effigies of diverse dimensions. Residents and festival organizers from neighbouring rural and urban localities have already started arriving to inspect the artwork and place advance orders.
From Bamboo Skeletons to Waterproof Finishing
The entire construction process demands considerable patience, physical labour, and artistic precision. According to the makers, the initial phase involves preparing a rigid structural framework using flexible strips split from bamboo poles. Once the foundational skeleton of the body and multiple heads is assembled, several layers of waste paper and sturdy brown sheets are pasted over it using starch-based glue to withstand gusty autumn winds. After the structure dries thoroughly under the sun, artisans apply vivid pigments and waterproof paints to outline facial expressions, traditional crowns, and ornamental clothing.
The family has tailored its production to meet different customer requirements and price points. The smallest effigies measure roughly 4 feet in height, making them popular among children and small residential housing clusters. In contrast, the largest effigies reach up to 35 feet, designed specifically for public grounds and large community celebrations. Depending on size, detail, and customization, prices start at Rs 500 for the smallest models and go up to Rs 35,000 for the towering installations. Buyers are also placing custom orders based on their allocated budgets and preferred color themes.
A Decade of Sustaining Traditional Bamboo Craftsmanship
Artisans Bhanwarlal and Kiran Kumar, residents of Jogi Colony near Kyariya Jod, stated that their household has been actively engaged in this traditional craft for the past 10 years. Approximately 15 family members, spanning multiple generations including women and elders, work collaboratively day and night during the peak pre-festival weeks. While effigy making remains a seasonal enterprise, the household relies on bamboo work throughout the rest of the year. To sustain their living, they manufacture decorative bamboo huts, household utility baskets, flagpole bamboo sticks, and an assortment of handmade bamboo artefacts.
Vulnerability to Rain and the Absence of State Support
Behind the festive spirit lies considerable financial vulnerability and persistent business risks. Bhanwarlal explained that the family invests its personal savings and borrows capital to buy raw materials such as bamboo poles, paper, paints, and binding twine well in advance. Despite their substantial monetary investment, they operate without any safety net. Unfavourable weather conditions frequently threaten their entire inventory, as finished effigies are mostly stored in open-air courtyards due to space constraints.
Recalling their hardships from the previous festive season, Bhanwarlal and Kiran Kumar noted that sudden heavy downpours lashed the region right on the day of Dussehra last year. The relentless rain soaked and damaged their completed effigies, inflicting immense financial losses on the household. Furthermore, local craftsmen lament the total lack of administrative backing or financial assistance. While handicraft workers in several other regions receive institutional credit, subsidies, and craft welfare incentives, local artisans in this belt receive no formal aid. Despite past misfortunes, the family remains optimistic this autumn. They hope dry skies will prevail, allowing them to sell all two dozen effigies and secure a modest profit for their year-round livelihood.
