Thursday, November 20, 2008

MOORAH


I was about to enter Farrukhnagar via Delhi Gate. Suddenly my eyes caught the nicely stacked Moorahs kept at the shops. There was not one shop but a few. Initially I took this sight as nothing uncommon. But simultaneously another thought crossed over my mind is there any connection between these moorahs and Farrukhnagar?

This question of mine was answered in no time when I was inside the town and chatting with the people about the specialties of Farrukhnagar. I was told that there used to be a time when Farrukhnagar produced high quality Moorahs. In fact locals boasted of the high quality of moorahs of Farrukhnagar. No other place could match it in terms of style and durablity. Later Mr. Goyal, a local whose family was in Moorah trade told me about the story of Farrukhnagar and Moorah.

The story goes like this.

One Kubban khan, about 100 yrs ago, started making moorahs in Farrukhnagar. With the popularity of his Moorah he also earned some name. Others started coming to him to learn moorah making and adapt it as a profession. Thus Kubban Khan not only trained many people into the profession but brought them together under one canopy. This guild of people were called as Moorah Makers by other people of the town. That's how the community of "moorah makers" was established.

So it is with Kubban Khan history of moorah in farukhnagar begins. Although the history of Moorah making was pushed into oblivian over the period of time. And not much is known about Kubban Khan today. But the moorah artists those who know him still claim that their ancestors learnt their art and skills of moorah making from Kubban Khan only. Farrukhnagar has always been known for its unmatched moorahs. Farrukhnagar had a vast jungle of "reed stems"(sarkanda). The availability of reeds and natural rush fibre in the region led to the emergence of moorah trade. The cost of material for making moorah(stool) was extremely low and the skill required for weaving was learned from one another in the community. There were 200 to 300 families of artist in farrukhnagar, who were financially depended on moorahs for their survival. Unlike profession of "jutiya", making moorah was never associated with any particular caste. It was not a taboo in the society, as there were thirty six jatis (caste) who were involved in the production of moorah.

Although Farukhnagar had a tradition of moorah but it never wooed the elites of the town, it was an art with utility purpose and its buyer was a common man. Major boom came in the business of moorah when in 1970s chief minister of Haryana Mr Devilal turned moorha into an ethnic fashion statement. He made it mandatory for all the government offices, chawpals, village panchayat, even 3 star hotels of Haryana to use moorah for sitting in style or necessity. Mr Goyal told that from 1970 to 1978 there was a major hike in the demand and supply of moorahs. Gradually moorah evolved from its natural state of crudity and immediacy and became an object of desire even for upper class. According to him many new designs were introduced in moorah on the demand of national and international businessmen. During this period they started producing moorahs in "sets" of "four" or "five" moorahs. No more the moorahs were sold as single piece. Dealers in Farrukhnagar got many international orders and exported moorahs abroad. He still recall those golden days when their business was at its peak and his father used to give him Rs 5 as train fare to drop moorahs at shops in two major moorah markets of Delhi i.e at Sadar Bazaar and Pharganj.

Rs 5 was a big amount in 70s," said Mr Goyal.

Did you ever try to watch cinema on your visit to Delhi? I asked.

With a smile on his face Mr goyal said, train fare was Rs 1.15p for one side visit to Delhi. So total of Rs 2.50 was spent on train fare. With the remaining money I used to watch cinema on every visit and hang out on good eating joints. I have watched many films for Rs 1.

After talking to Mr Goyal , I went to the "basti"(locality) of maoorah artist. I am deliberately calling them as an artist. Because the skill to make moorah is not less than artistry, like any other form of making handmade articles. And when I went to the area where moorah makers were residing and after meeting them my belief to call them as artist got firmer. There I met Madhav Ram , Ram singh Satpal singh and all of them are the third generation of artist in the family. They learned their lessons of weaving moorah at early stage. According to them everyone in the family has his or her role carved out in making moorahs. The women are the active workforce along with men of the families. Kids are given the job to turn rush into cord, they just observe and follow their parents and pick up the skill pretty well. Its all in the family.

But where did you sell your moorahs, the finished product," "I asked.
Madhav Ram replied," "There were two ways either you sell it to a trader or you directly go to the market.

So do you have any markets close by for the same," I became more inquisitive.
Madhav Ram and his associates laughed.
Madhav Ram continued," Those of us who wanted to sell their moorahs directly and they had to go to Delhi. About .....kms. Unlike these days it used to take 2 nights and 1 day in reaching markets in Delhi.

The journey was not easy but quite adventurous. With red cloth hanging at the back of the cart and lantern in hand they used to travel as there was no tax on bullock carts for entering from one state to another. Gurgaon and Dhaula Kuan were the two main stoppages to spend night. Like Mr Goyal these artists also have good memories of good days. At Surajkund Mela a three day fair, ( which takes place every year to promote arts of different states) moorah artist of farukhnagar used to set their stalls. They remember that many times while they had been setting the stall their moorahs were bough by enthusiastic buyers that too at good price of Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10,000.

Today hardly any one of them put up a stall there. As their moorahs stand no chance against durable plastic chairs. In order to compete with plastic chairs, moorahwallahs in farukhnagar have started using nylon and plastic rope instead of rush cord to weave moorah .The overuse of reed and natural rush as resources has caused deforestation around the town. The less availability of raw material has hiked its price. And at the same time the preferences of buyers have changed.

Moorah which used to be in a way a jewel in the crown has lost its luster. Neither the art nor the skill attract new generation towards this profession.



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