TODAY -
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 06:
From the hands of a Maring craftsmen to the bazar of Pallel and then to Imphal, the story of MK Moran, a Phiruk maker by profession, perhaps reflects the ties that bind the people of this State.
Phiruk, a type of a basket made of bamboo is a necessity in any marriage ceremony of the Meitei people as this is used to carry a number of traditional items, when the groom's party goes to the residence of the bride to solemnise the marriage.
|
A resident of Khudei Khullen in Tengnoupal sub-division, Moran succinctly put it when he said in a lighter vein, "Why wouldn't the Meiteis like the Phiruks made by the Marings.
Will the Meiteis allow the Phiruks go to waste without utilising its service?" However not everything is hunky dory for the Phiruk craftsman.
Known as Phingaruk in the Maring language, Moran said that the bamboo used for making the Phiruk is procured from the deep jungles, which entails trekking through unfriendly terrain.
As for the marketing part, Moran said that he sells it to a trader at Pallel at the price of Rs 150 per Phiruk.
After the bamboo is procured from the jungles, it is then sliced into fine pieces (locally known as Payas).
Once the Payas are ready then it is work from dawn to dusk, said Moran and added that it take two full days to complete a Phiruk.
Taking the finished products to the market at Pallel is something of a problem as passenger service is rare on the Sita road that leads to his village.
At times, Moran has to trek to Moreh which is about 17 kms and then board a passenger vehicle from there to travel to Pallel to sale his products.
Fortunately for Moran, his products find buyers as it is an indispensable item for the Meiteis, especially during marriage ceremonies.
As is the practise everywhere, it is the middlemen who get more out of selling the Phiruks.
While Moran sells his product at the rate of Rs 150 per piece, the middlemen make a premium while selling it in retail.
Moreover, today it has also become common for the people to borrow the Phiruks at a certain rate.
This has an adverse effect on his trade said the Maring craftsman, who has been learnt the art from his family elders from the age of 15.Today Moran is about 45 years old.
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.
HEADLINES - 07, MAY 2007
SPORTS - 07, MAY 2007
LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
Jump Start
DBS Imphal SubSite |
Readers Mail |
Editorials |
Education Announcements |
Essay |
Exclusive Event |
Flash - Audio Visual |
Incidents |
LFS Imphal SubSite |
News Timeline |
Poetry |
Opinion |
Sports |
Rock Concert |
RSS |
Top Stories |
Wathi Jugai