Kaloosa, a hamlet in Bandipora district where 300 households earn their livelihood by weaving “Kangeri” or fire pot, traditionally being used by the people during the harsh winter months to fight against the shivering chill in Kashmir valley.
“Three hundred families of Ganai dynasty including men, women and children are associated in the making of “Kangeri” or firepot in this north Kashmir’s Kaloosa village just to earn their livelihood”, 37-year-old Shameem Ahmad Ganai who had completed his Bachelor’s degree in Arts in 2006 and is weaving the fire pots himself told UNI.
“Kangeri” or firepit is a traditional heater being used in Kashmir during rough winter months mostly beneath a traditional gown called “Pheran” or under a blanket by almost every person of the Kashmiri society.
The “Kangeri’’ is an earthen pot locally called “Kundal” woven around with wicker and filled with hot and blazing embers.
Shameem said there are several brands of “kanger” in Kashmir but the durability and shape of Bandipora made firepot is famous across the valley. It has several types including single Kanger, Sazdar Kanger, Byepore Kanger, Abaaya Kanger and Double dour Kanger ranging from the price of Rs 250, Rs 350, Rs 400.
Even a special “Kanger” locally called “Mahren Kanger” or Bride fire pot costs from Rs 2000 to Rs 2500. It takes three to four days for a person to complete it.
There are also popular brands of “Charer Kanger” being woven at Charar-e-Sharief in Budgam district and “Islambadi Kanger” made in south Kashmir district of Anantnag which are also hitting the markets being purchased by the customers happily for their attractive looks.
The “Kanger” has travelled to many European countries as tourists used to take it as a gift for their dear ones and could be found in many drawing rooms in Indian households.
“All men, women and even children are being pressed into service during the peak time of demand whenever need arises, Shameem said and added “ We know that children should not be forced to work, but we cannot resist as the order for providing such a number of firepots force us to earn more for our livelihood”.
He said that there is no source of income for these three hundred families except earning through making of “Kanger” throughout the year for each family.
“Young educated girls are also helping their family members in weaving the firepots during the peak season. Unless every person of the family renders their helping hand, there is less possibility of running the home affairs and other expenditure”, he added.
He said that the village is producing more than 4 lakh fire pots during the year and the peak season starts from September to December.
He said that we had an agreement with the local traders who provides us order and pays certain amount in advance for making purchases of raw material “Kaan’e” or wicker.
In a question he said “we want to study our children, but resources are so limited that they could not continue their studies at a particular stage”, Shameem said.
A few people from our dynasty were able to progress in their studies otherwise due to the poverty the students left half way due to non availability of funds, he said and added that hardly about twenty people in village Kaloosa are government servants.
He said “we are happy with this profession as it is providing us daily bread and butter…we could not progress in any other job due to poverty and less income…To earn day to day bread makes it possible when all family members are involved in weaving the fire pots”.
He alleged that the Government has never paid any heed towards our community. Even the forest department is every year making inroads in our work whenever we need material “Kaan’e” or wicker from the forest.
He said that we had to go through many formalities. The material at least should have been provided free of cost to the community from the government but we have to pay a huge amount to the forest department for making purchases of the material.
He said that in the past standard of living was very simple but presently there is a huge need for a person to survive and that the cost of even daily use has increased manifold.
He said that we could not even get a loan from banks as they are asking for a guarantor. The government must provide any scheme to this community for their upliftment, he added.
(Qiesar Baba)
