THIS year the arid desert regions of Rajasthan were blessed with adequate and timely rainfall. For the most part, farmers were harvesting a good crop. Which means that artisans we work with have less time for weaving and embroidery. We are aware that this may lead to delays in delivery deadlines. And we have to come up with a Plan B. At Rangsutra we are constantly navigating, trying to find a balance between the demands of the market, on the one hand, and supply side realities of the producers, the artisans who make products, on the other.
So, what is our Plan B?
First, to change the timings of work. Working in the fields is best done in the early morning, before the sun gets too strong. Some younger farmer-artisans work in their fields from five to nine in the morning, return home, and get to the craft centres around 11 am, and then work, if necessary, till five to six in the evening. Those who work till later are male artisans who do not have much work at home in the evenings. Most housework is done by women. As farming and embroidery work is very different, it does not get too taxing. The first is a workout for the body and the second exercises the hands, improving dexterity, with focus and repetitions calming the mind.
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