Even five years ago, some five hundred motif artisans of Jhautala Bihari Colony used to be busy all year with their creative handiwork of Zardozi and Karchupi.
However, now the number of the motif artisans, most of whom are Urdu speaking people, has dwindled to only 100 due to a glut of cheap Indian and Pakistani products in the local market.
Failing to keep up the legacy, many artisans have already switched to different professions.
During a recent visit to some workshops of the Wireless Bihari Colony, it was found that the workers were working overtime to ensure delivery of items ordered ahead of Eid.
Rashed Hasan, a motif artisan of Choice Karchupi House in Wireless Bihari Colony, has been in the traditional profession for the last 23 years.
"People now prefer Indian and Pakistani products due to their low price. There was a time when we had our hands full with orders all year round. But now, we are only busy ahead of Eid," Rashed lamented.
"There was a time when Bihari Colony remained abuzz with activities the entire year. Now we have to secure orders from different shopping malls. Many of the artisans have changed profession to make ends meet," said Khalid Zafar Pappu, proprietor of Pappu Boutique House.
Choice Karchupi House is the largest workshop of the locality, where 20 artisans are now employed.
Md Jalal, proprietor of Choice Karchupi House, told Dhaka Tribune there has been a sea of change in motif work.
"Designs are now available online. However, our artisans are capable of working with any artwork manually. The government should give us incentives so that we can survive," said Jalal.
With a wooden rectangular frame and beads, chumkis, decorative stone and other paraphernalia, creative artwork is made on panjabis, kameezes, saris, three-pieces, burqas and lehengas.
The pricing of the motif work depends on the design.
It takes 15-20 days to work on a lehenga, which costs Tk15,000-50,000.
The motif artisans charge Tk7,000-15,000 for a sari, which takes a week. In the case of a panjabi, it costs Tk600-1500 and takes one or two days.
For a kameez, the artisans charge Tk1200-20,000 and it takes two to four days.
For an intricate design, the artisans charge Tk1 lakh for a saree.
