The Wadhas Of Nirona, Kutch

A group of children were playing and a young girl was making rotis on a wooden chulla as our car came to a stop besides a cluster of kaccha pucca houses of the Wadha community in Nirona, Kutch. Under a neem tree, a lean man sat working on a simple machine carving a piece of wood. He first smoothened the surface and then began to add both design and colour using bits of coloured lac. Lac is a resin that is extracted from insects and trees. The colour is added by mixing iron oxide or pigments to it.

 

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Decorating a wooden belan
 
Sitting there watching him transform that piece of wood into a beautiful and delicate belan, the whole process seemed like child’s play, but the truth is far from it. Seven generations of this family have been practicing this craft, each perfecting it. Originally from Pakistan, apart from the meager income that wood carving brings in, the Wadhas also collect honey and herbs.
 
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Camels, horses or giraffes? Beautiful nevertheless!
 
Just as the belan was almost ready, I turned around and saw that I was surrounded by women and girls displaying their beautiful wares. They themselves were dressed in colourful gorgeous clothes but it was their eyes that were most captivating!

 

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Not a word was spoken, no one urged me to buy this or that. They just sat there patiently and let me take my time. I felt like a queen!
My heart went out to these lovely, simple village folk. They could give up this craft and move to more lucrative professions, but this is the way of life they have always known.

17 Comments

  • Reply
    eileeninmd
    October 19, 2015 at 10:45 am

    I love the crafts, pretty animals. The ladies are lovely. Beautiful images. Have a happy week ahead!

  • Reply
    Sumandebray
    October 20, 2015 at 5:25 pm

    Interesting read. We need to take the city to the villages so the folks don't feel the urge to lose their tradition, identity and finally themselves in the crowd of city dwellers.

  • Reply
    Chaitali Patel
    October 21, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    Thanks Eileen!

  • Reply
    Chaitali Patel
    October 21, 2015 at 12:12 pm

    True. They need access to better medical facilities and education, not so called factory jobs that underpay and overwork them. Also taking their craft and making it more applicable in today's context will help keep them going for years to come.

  • Reply
    Leena Walawalkar
    October 23, 2015 at 8:52 am

    Those pictures are amazing…I felt like the women want to talk to me :)
    Good post Chaitali!

  • Reply
    Chaitali Patel
    October 23, 2015 at 5:07 pm

    Thanks Leena! That's a very nice compliment! :)

  • Reply
    Mridula
    October 23, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    What an enchanting encounter that you sought out!

  • Reply
    D.Nambiar
    October 26, 2015 at 5:44 am

    Nice colourful attires. I'm sure their wares are also very colourful.
    Really nice portraits, Chaitali.

  • Reply
    Indrani
    October 26, 2015 at 5:19 pm

    Never knew this community!
    I am sure many in India don't know about them.
    They look so simple. Nice post Chaitali. :)

  • Reply
    Chaitali Patel
    October 27, 2015 at 2:51 pm

    It really was Mridula! I can't wait to go back! :)

  • Reply
    Chaitali Patel
    October 27, 2015 at 2:52 pm

    Thanks so much! :)

  • Reply
    Chaitali Patel
    October 27, 2015 at 2:52 pm

    Thanks Indrani! :)

  • Reply
    POTPOURRIOFMYLIFE !
    November 1, 2015 at 5:03 pm

    Hi!! I have nominated your blog for Liebster Award , do check on my blog https://potpourriofmylife.wordpress.com/2015/11/01/liebster-my-first-blog-award-d/

  • Reply
    Chaitali Patel
    November 3, 2015 at 12:23 pm

    Gee thanks! Never been nominated before so thank you for doing that! :)

  • Reply
    Arun Prasadh
    November 4, 2015 at 1:30 am

    Nice to know about them. Lovely captures.

  • Reply
    Swati & Sam
    November 4, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    Sad that without any financial aid many artistic skills are dying in this country … :(

    Amazing portrait and definitely an experience:)

  • Reply
    Alok singhal
    November 28, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    Those eyes indeed speak a lot…my heart goes out too, for they seem to be living a very tough life !

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