Sujit Chanda
For most of the Indigenous women of Tripura, ‘waist loom’ weaving is a traditional practice, however, many of them are seeking Government aid to combat unabated rise in prices of threads used in weaving.
Risa, the honorary stole and Pachra or Rwgnai – worn as lower garment – are two of the traditional attire of the indigenous people – and especially Risa, at present, is gaining popularity among all sections, even outside the State.
Weaving Risa and Pachra is not just a traditional way for a pass time; it also helps these women to attain financial self-reliance. It is not a handloom product but waistloom that the indigenous women use for weaving purpose.
A large section of tribal women mostly in the hilly terrains and interior parts of the state’s Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) areas is engaged in waist loom weaving the traditional Risa and Pachra since long back.
This is providing them earning their livelihood by selling their waist loom -made cloths in the state’s market and other parts.
With growing demand for the traditional attire, several indigenous women run SHGs are engaged in this sector and striding forward.
However, regular spike in prices of raw materials is putting a stumble block.
“As the prices of thread used in making Risa and Pachra are regularly rising, we are forced to increase the prices of our products. However it is increasingly becoming difficult for us to survive in highly competitive markets with price on a higher side”, commented Mangal Kumari Hrangkwal.
Mangal Kumari hails from Babumani Para ADC villager under Teliamura block. She saw her grandmother and mother weaving Risa and Pachra using ‘waist loom’. Like her, several other women are earning a livelihood by weaving ‘waist loom’ made traditional cloths.
Mangal Kumari expressed her concern over the price hike of weaving materials. According to her, profit margin is declining in present condition.
“If I push up the price, buyers opt out. With cut-throat competition, increasing price sufficiently to cover the increased cost is not a viable idea – so we have keep satisfied with lower profit margin which is very often unsustainable”, she said.
Mangal Kumari, however, agrees that demand for Risa picked up substantially after the Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb took initiative to popularize it.
“It may sound paradoxical, but reality is that demand for Risa has increased, yet profit margin is shrinking due to high rise in prices of thread used in making this indigenous garment”.
She continued and urged the Chief Minister to intervene.
“I would urge the Chief Minister and his government to provide us assistance in procuring the threads. Some sorts of relief is needed at this juncture to save the ‘waist loom’ sector of the State. This sector is creating earning opportunity for indigenous women as well as making the State proud by preserving the cultural traditions of the State”, Mangal Kumari commented.
@Sujit Chanda may be contacted at enewstime2017@gmail.com
