Sharp shooters bring home loads of fish

Times of India, March 7, 2014
Bikash Khemka,TNN | Mar 7, 2014, 10.20 AM IST
BHAWANIPATNA: Not for nothing can Kalahandi's Kitpadar village be called a land of 'Aaj ka Arjuns'.

The hamlet in Bhawanipatna block, around 10 km from here, has shot to fame for its unique style of fishing. Fishermen here catch fish by shooting arrows. This is both a passion and a mode of livelihood for 96 families. In other villages, fishermen use nets.

Legend has it that Arjun was the finest archer in Mahabharata. He won the hand of Panchal princess Draupadi in marriage by shooting a moving fish by looking at its reflection in water kept in a vessel on the ground.

Residents of Kitpadar learn fishing from their ancestors. For teenagers, aged between 10 and 17, it's a favourite pastime.

Subash Majhi, 17, who studied till Class V, learnt the ropes from his father when he was 10. Majhi senior used to go to streams around 9am and fish for three to four hours. The catch would weigh between 1kg and 1.5kg. Villagers make baskets using sticks. The catch is kept in the basket, locally called 'dhunti'.

Subash said he does not have to sell fish in the market to eke out a living as he runs a small grocery shop. However, some locals have made fishing their source of income. "Some are passionate about fishing and consume their catch," said Subash.

Fishermen cannot fish in the rainy season because of deep water and in summer, streams dry up.

Mostly they fish in winter. Fishes are visible in shallow water when sunlight falls on streams. Apart from daytime fishing, they also try their luck at night with help of 'mashals'.

A group of 10 boys divide into groups of five each. One boy holds the mashal while another shoots the prey.

Slowly they move in different directions and the fishes get attracted by light. Sometimes they use torch for fishing. By dawn, they carry home 'dhuntis' loaded with fish. It is not that easy as it seems. Sometimes they shoot three to four arrows and one hits the bull's eye.

Arku Majhi, 15, loves to shoot fish. "A variety of small fish called 'Jhuri' swim very fast, but I manage to shoot them. I catch at least 1kg fish everyday and sell them at 160 a kg."