Hyderabad: 'Patwaikars' struggle for livelihood post lockdown

Charminar: Even after six months since relaxation of the Lockdown, there is no respite for roadside craftsmen who continue to keep alive the age-old tradition of tailor-made 'latchha' or 'mangalsutra' for women. They are traditionally known as 'patwaikars' or 'latchha ghatane wala', who are seen at jewellery market in Gulzar Houz.

Patwaikars, who are daily earners, are one of the most affected in lockdown. Sill they are struggling for their livelihood. Around 100 Patwaikars are seen on the stretch from Charminar to Gulzar Houz jewellery market. They have been serving women customers since the Nizam's period. The stretch remains famous for these Patwaikars as well as for jewellery business.

Mohammed Rasheed, a septuagenarian engaged in the trade for more than three decades, said that most craftsmen are yet to come out of the lockdown blues. Even now there is no business. "Earlier, we used to take home at least Rs 500 after working for the day. Now hardly we are taking home Rs 300. Most days we are returning with empty pockets," he added. The Covid-19 pandemic crisis has also pushed the prices of raw material to the roof. The prices of black beads ('kali poth'), pearls, colorful crystals and different types of threads, including 'zari', 'reshmi' and 'tangus' have all gone up. Earnings hit the rock bottom. "Whatever money the customers are handing over after work, we are silently accepting thinking that something is better than nothing," he remarked.

"For making a 'latchha' or 'mangalsutra' earlier we used to charge minimum of Rs 150 for each and may be more depending on its size and length, but now we are charging Rs 80 - Rs 100 for each, as even customers are not willing to spend more money," said Syed Parvez, another Patwaikar.

"In the past, we used to receive order for making several items from jewellery shops, which helped us to sustain. But now the market is completely affected following the lockdown. There are barely orders from shops even though the wedding season is on. We are waiting for orders, but no orders have left us struggling," lamented Mohd Ahmed, another craftsman sitting on the stretch.