Vizianagaram: Artisans of the state’s famous Bobbili veena are in crisis as they are unable to supply the instruments as per demand due to unavailability of raw material. Actually, wood of jack fruit tree is the main raw material used in manufacturing the veena. But it is not available here. So, they are purchasing it from Odisha, Chhattisgarh.
At present, the artisans are receiving orders to supply 500 instruments monthly. But they are producing only around 300 pieces. Presently, they are making most of the veenas as gift items or mementos. Big size musical instruments are not being purchased by the public as the number of veena learners is declining. The cost of the veena is around Rs 18,000. Small gift items are available at a cost of Rs 800 based on the size. They have been demanding the government to establish a depot for jack fruit trees.
At present, around 25 families are involved in the making of veena.
The artisans said, “Unfortunately, the youth of this generation is reluctant to take up this profession. They are getting more income in other professions than this. But we are unable to leave this job as we feel this is a noble one and service to God.”
The people are not interested in purchasing veena as they are unable to find a good teacher to teach the instrument. And the youth are reluctant to take the playing of this instrument as a career or profession. So, gradually the sale of the big instrument is declining.
A worker can complete a small size article in a day which costs around Rs 800. After deduction of the expenditure of raw material and others, he can earn around Rs 500 on this instrument. In the same way an artisan can earn around Rs 10, 000 per month.
K. Achyutha Narayana, a senior artisan and coordinator of the artisan society said, “The workers are getting handful orders, but the availability of wood is the major problem. So we are planning to make the instruments with alternative wood.”
