CUTTACK: The zari medha (tableau) prepared by Muslim artisans are an intrinsic part of Cuttack 's dusshera . The centuries-old artwork prepared by the Muslims not only enhances the beauty of the deities but also sends a strong message of communal harmony. However, the artisans are finding it hard to survive in the business.They have attributed the difficult times to the rising cost of raw materials, hard work and lack of patronage. They also claimed that due to the problems, youngsters in their family are not interested to carry on with the tradition.As we cannot afford to hire workers, men and women in the family help in preparation of the tableaux. The profit ratio is very minimal, said Salim Khan, a medha karigar.Due to low profits, even younger generations are shying away from the artform. Artisans claimed that two decades ago over 500 Muslim and Odia karigars were doing the work of zari medha but now the number of artisans has reduced to just 30 to 35. Price of each zari medha ranges from Rs 20,000 to Rs 2 lakhs depending on the quality of work.My sons know the artform but they are not going to follow it as their profession. They are educated and working for private companies and they are certainly not interested to keep the artform alive after me, said Suleman Khan, zari artisan of the city.Veteran artisans have claimed that their love for the artform is providing them boost to run the show. It is not just an artform, but a heritage for me. I learnt the art from my grandfather and as long as I am alive I will keep preparing the zari medhas to decorate Goddess Durga as through my art I get opportunity to serve the Devi also, said Sakir, a septuagenarian artisan. Veteran artists claim that the artform originated during the Mughal era and since generations the artisans, especially the Muslim craftsmen have been doing this work.

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