Bikas Majhi, a trained artisan, at work site near Aishaneswar temple. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 4: Odisha is facing an acute scarcity of traditional stone carvers with expertise in temple building though they are required in large numbers to execute the ongoing conservation work at heritage and archaeological sites and monuments.

Many trained artisans blame the agencies concerned for not paying enough money to the experienced hands in the trade and hence discouraging the younger generation from taking to the art. The officials of these agencies, however, think that ever expanding opportunities in designing private temples in and outside the state and proliferation of stone art studios making statues and other artifacts are also attracting the artisans more than the traditional temple-building work.

In Odisha, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is managing 78 monuments for conservation and the State Archaeology has taken up 295 monuments. The Centre, meanwhile, has granted Rs 65 crore for conservation of the state monuments. Last year the grant was Rs 50 crore.

ASI superintending archaeologist AK Patel said they prefer two categories of stone carving experts, i.e. the traditional architects (sthapatis) and the artisans. While `sthapatis’ are responsible for designing and executing temple structure, the artisans are only concerned with carving.

Though in the past the entire state had stone-carving based population, now only in three pockets i.e. Sukhuapada-Champagarh belt near Lalitgiri in Jajpur, Mathura near Kabisuryanagar in Ganjam and Ghatikia near Bhubaneswar in Khurda district still have these artisans and ‘sthapatis’ who work on the traditional Kalingan temple-based work.

Patel observed that lure of more money from other projects undertaken by private agencies inside the state and outside could be a major reason behind the scarcity of hands for conservation as the young generations of artisans are not putting enough interest in the work.

However, he added that the ASI is organising seminars for masons to be sensitised on the work environment of historical monuments.

Superintending Archaeologist (in-charge) of State Archaeology Ashwinee Satapthy said, 'Tthere was a time when we were giving less wage to the artisans but since some time we are paying at par with the ASI, but sufficient artisans are not available as they are getting more money and regular opportunity to earn their livelihood outside.’’

A State Archaeology official, however, added that though the rate is Rs 253 per day as per the ASI, in practice the trained artisans are given nearly Rs 500 per day, but still there is scarcity. 'At times we are helplessly trying but the artisans are not willing to come. It is also not easy to give a work in parts as an entire team is to be engaged from a particular locality and their lodging and food has to be organised by us,' he added.

Secretary, Odisha Institute of Maritime and South East Asian Studies, Sunil Patnaik said currently five agencies are working on conservation in Odisha, but perhaps after 2015 there might be no opportunity for the artisans once the available funds will be exhausted. 'We have to ensure regular opportunities for the artisans,' he added.

Eminent sculptor and Padma Vibhushan awardee Raghunath Mohapatra told The Telegraph, 'If an artisan creates a statue and sells it within 10-15 days time, the art work may get him Rs 15,000 but if he works for temple conservation the remuneration will be nearly half. Moreover, the conservation projects are not guaranteed round the year and the treatment is also not good.'

Alleging that the conservation agencies are only engaged in patch work and not seriously following the `Shilpa Sashtra’ to replace the old or damaged stones, Mohapatra said that less expert artisans and even `fake sthapatis’ are preferred than the `real’ experts by the custodians of the temple conservation.

Kirtan Maharana, a `sthapati’ from Nayagarh who has constructed several temples in the state and even in Himachal Pradesh, said, 'The conservation agencies are now engaged only in the contract work and they need masons as there is no respect for the `sthapatis’ who know the traditional rules or `Shilpa Sashtra’. The people who were earlier engaged only in sizing of stones have become experts under the patronage of these agencies.’’

Bikas Majhi, a skilled artisan, who is currently working on the conservation work of the Aishaneswar temple on the campus of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation hospital said, 'The conservation organisations have posts for all types of workers and experts, but they should also have permanent `sthapatis’ and artisans in their payroll. It will encourage artisans to perform better and with more dedication.'

Retired works secretary, professor-in-charge, IIT Kharagpur, Bhubaneswar campus and consultant to the ASI and Odisha Government on temple conservation, Gopal Chandra Mitra said, 'The sculptors do not find any lucrative prospect in improving their lifestyle as they are paid at very low rates and that to on day-to-day basis. When there is a lull in the atmosphere due to rain or any such natural calamity or such hindrances they do not get paid and their children migrate to other vocations.’’

Mitra also said that all the `sthapatis’ who are veterans and those in the process of learning should be brought into the organised sector. For this a task force must be created by the Odisha Government to identify the `sthapatis’, their family income, social status and reasons behind the cross-migration from their families to other unrelated vocations. A register should also be maintained of all the `sthapatis’ and their present position.

'In the fine arts' colleges a separate degree should be created both for students without a formal education and candidates having higher secondary qualification to be trained in the temple building art,' he added.