Andhra Pradesh

Putting the ‘waste’ to use

Deft hands: Rajendra Deshmukh displaying some of his gift items.

ADILABAD: The inclination to never let anything go waste has made Rajendra Deshmukh a fine craftsman. Coming from Ghatanji village in Yavatmal district in Maharashtra, about 85-km. from here, he makes beautiful articles for decorative purpose out of the waste strands peeled while wood is planed.

Mr. Deshmukh was in Adilabad in connection with organising an exhibition of his ‘art’ at Adilabad’s Kala Ashram, coinciding with Ugadi festival in April. The articles however, will not be for sale because, “I am not inclined towards commercial aspects of art,” observed the 60-year-old craftsman.

“I initially started off with pencil drawings. I happened to stumble upon the idea of using waste wood strands while experimenting with something else. I quit pencil drawings and bamboo work after I discovered that the waste wood can be used very effectively,” said Mr. Deshmukh.

The craft of organising the strands is not very difficult but fitting them into desired shapes and designs certainly is difficult.

To say the least, the work is quite tedious considering the range that this former traffic controller in Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation churns out. A 7’6" globe took seven months to be made.

As many as 26 years of labour has produced about 400 articles, besides many that were made to order. “The articles I make can be used as gift items. So, orders are placed for the gift articles on special occasions. I have to oblige close friends even if I am not inclined to make money out of the activity," said Mr. Deshmukh.

The objective of this artist is to establish a permanent gallery of his art at some place that will be decided in near future. He wants the gallery to be a place where people can learn craftsmanship.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu