Balurghat, Sept. 18 -- On Friday, as Bengal observed Viswakarma Puja, an eerie silence hung over Thengapara in Gangarampur, South Dinajpur. Once the vibrant heartland of Bengal's handloom sector, where thousands of wooden looms clattered continuously, the neighbourhood now stands largely muted. Market distress, soaring raw material costs and power-loom dominance have dismantled this heritage, turning the divine architect's worship into a poignant reminder of a dying trade.

Decades ago, migrant weavers built a thriving cottage industry spanning nearly a thousand households. Festive preparations once began a month in advance as craftsmen cleaned their looms, shuttles and spinning wheels.

Today, residents report nearly 90 per cent of handlooms have stopped. Artisans who crafted intricate sarees have turned to driving electric rickshaws, opening small grocery shops or migrating as manual labourers.

Prominent weaver Basudeb Basak recalled the former glory with a heavy heart. "During peak times, we celebrated Viswakarma Puja with grand grandeur alongside dozens of artisans. Now, with business wiped out, we can no longer afford idols or two-day community feasts. We simply perform a modest ritual with a sacred pot," he lamented. Senior trader Madan Basak added that financial ruin has stripped the festivities of their traditional joy.

This collapse has devastated dependent trades, particularly Palpara's idol-makers. Sculptor Buddheswar Pal stated that demand from Ditol, Thengapara and Duttapara has vanished. "Earlier, areas placed huge orders. Today, weavers are barely around. I used to craft up to 200 idols; now I manage barely eight to ten small ones, struggling to cover inflated raw material costs," Pal explained.

Ramgopal Biswas, Secretary of the South Dinajpur Handloom Protection Committee, noted the hub once generated festive turnover worth Rs 1 to 1.5 crore ahead of Durga Puja. However, local yarn shortages, inadequate government marketing and cheap power-loom imitations have eroded the sector despite global demand.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.