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Casting a livelihood
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There is a certain romance in the nomadic life of these idol makers. Their sudden appearance in front of temples and churches to make idols and to depart after the job is done gives them an air of mystery. MEERA RAJENDRAN, on their Kochi connection.
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ALI MOHAMMED waits for the molten metal to cool before pulling it out with a low hiss. His wife puts another old aluminium vessel on the fire next to her. They are not alone, for they are surrounded by interested onlookers of all ages. Mohammad and his wife is a couple from a remote village of Andhra Pradesh. They have set out with around three dozen companions on a journey through most parts of India. It is not a vacation, but a journey that is undertaken every year to earn their livelihood.
Mr. Ali and his wife are sculptors. These artisans set up camp in Puthiyakavu, near Thripunithara. Everyday, the 50 odd people split up, make their way to the areas of their choice, and wait. Their fame has spread and soon they receive orders to cast a variety of idols. They take metals like aluminium or brass from their customers in the form of old shapeless vessels, broken doorknobs etc. and turn these mangled objects into showcase pieces of great beauty. The images made are not only of Hindu gods, but also images of lovely damsels, lifelike animals and of Jesus Christ. These pieces are reasonably priced, the range being Rs. 40 for a small piece to Rs.250 for a large one. Certain pieces, which are finely polished and chiselled, are priced at Rs.800 upwards. The images are of exquisite craftsmanship. It takes great skill to get the consistency of the molten metal to be just right. According to Mr Vishwanathan, a customer and a friend of sorts (they camped in front of his house) it takes about 3 kilograms of metal to turn out a statue 15 inches high. He also claims that the couple works very fast, making three or four figures in about 15-20 minutes. Ali has seven children and this is his only way of supporting his large family. They work for about 6 or 7 hours a day and if business is good they can make up to Rs 4000 a day! Ali and his wife were here for over three weeks before leaving for Madras. They have promised to return in the end of September.
They set out every year in the company of their friends and journey through India. Their travels are interesting, because they have to travel ahead of the monsoons (They cannot work in the rainy season). During this period, they return to their village in Andhra Pradesh and wait for the rains to clear. Then they set out again, wandering around the country to earn their livelihood.
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