write about basket maker of andrapradesh and telangana
Answers
Polaiah is a basket maker. He is from Andugula village in Kalvakurthi Mandal, Mahabubnagar district. He is about 35 years old. He belongs to Yerukala, a tribal community. Polaiah’s family has been weaving baskets for generations. Bagyamma, his wife also works as a basket maker. And they have three children. Polaiah’s father along with other 25 families came to the city about 30 years ago as the demand for baskets had declined in their native village. He sells baskets on the pavements of Chaderghat.
Polaiah uses the spines of wild date palm (eatha chettu) leaves. Using a knife, he shaves off the leaves and keeps them in hot sunshine to dry them. The raw material, wild date palm leaves, are brought in bundles from Andugula, their native village. His relatives in Andugula collect the spines from bushes around their villages and sell to basket makers like Polaiah. Andugula is about 60 km from Hyderabad.
Each bundle of date palm spines costs Rs.120. Polaiah and other basket makers usually bring 10 bundles for two months. Polaiah’s family makes 25 baskets from one bundle. Ten bundles of spines would give them about 250 baskets. It takes 30 minutes to make a basket. He weaves baskets from 10 am to 5 pm with some breaks for rest and eating.
Polaiah sells each basket for Rs. 20. Sometimes, customers ask for a bigger basket for family rituals. These are sold at a higher price depending on the amount of raw material used. He sells baskets throughout the year.