Worshipper of Laxmi languishing in poverty

Merinews, Oct 13, 2008
Devagunia, a community which sings in the praise of Laxmi and prays for the prosperity of Laxmi, are today languishing in poverty and deprivation. They, however, prepare various fancy items by weaving paddy, which they sell in the nearby villages

LAXMI IS the deity of prosperity and richness. Ironically, a small community named ’Devaguru’ (Devagunia), who are traditional bards and sing in the praise of Laxmi and pray for the prosperity and blessing of Laxmi for all, are today languishing in poverty and deprivation, uncared for by anybody.
Devagunia, a small community settled in limited areas of Kalahandi, Nuapada and Bolangir district in Orissa and are found mainly in Dumermunda village under Kesinga block, Bamniguda of Junagarh block, Khaliabhata of Jaipatna block of Kalahandi district, Singhjhar and Kapsi village of Sinapali block of Nuapada district and also in few periphery villages of Titlagarh of Bolangir district.

The traditional occupation of Devgunia is to go to each household and recite Laxmi Puran and sing songs in praise of Laxmi, playing a traditional musical instrument ’Brahmavina’, which is also called ’Tali Aeinla’. They generally depend on the gift of grocery (uncooked food items) given by households. But they don’t accept it as it is, but treat it as alms and so they in return present Laxmi Khatuli (Laxmi’s idol), elephant, etc for worship, prepared entirely by weaving paddy .

This exclusive art form of Devgunias is popularly known as paddy craft and is limited to this particular class only. Besides craft items related to Laxmi, they also prepare various designs and fancy items with paddy.

Whatever they earn by reciting Lami Puran is not adequate and with the cultural change emerging fast, they are least cared now a days. Thus, they have to depend solely on various paddy craft items and manage the family from whatever they earn by selling the item in the near by villages.

The paddy craft prepared by Devgunias is getting popular and it has found places in the drawing rooms of sophisticated people. In different exhibitions of the state and also in Dili Haat, this paddy craft is an item of attraction and its demand is increasing.

However, this craft is a neglected lot. Anadi Devguru of Dumermunda village lamented that incentive and assistance for this craft is a distant dream. Long back during 1991-92, they were covered under Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) loan for promotion of the paddy craft. However, since then they have not been provided with financial assistance from any quarter. Officials of the block and cottage industry, which were once frequenting the village to popularise the craft no longer visits the place, he said. He said that despite languishing in poverty they have not, however, forgotten to sing in praise of Laxmi.

It is irony of fate that the worshipper and singer of Laxmi, the deity of prosperity, are living in poverty !

It is high time that the traditional paddy craft villages need to be covered under ’Integrated Rural Artisan Rehabilitation Scheme’ , so that this traditional craft can grow and with it, this traditional community would overcome poverty.