Bamboo artifacts to beautify homes

 Every city has its own roadside vendors, be it fast food, earthen ware and decorative items, toys, idols of Gauri-Ganesha and other gods according to season or bamboo products ranging from vases, decorative items to chairs and other furniture. It is the cheapest way these artisans can sell their products as they do not have to pay for shop rent, tax or any other facility like electricity. It also facilitates direct artisan-customer relationship because of which the artisan does not lose money to middlemen.
Mysore's roadsides too have many such artisans setting up their shops selling the products they make in makeshift tents nearby. A walk through Valmiki Road near Vontikoppal takes one to a group of artisans who make their living by selling attractive bamboo products.
The eye-catching intricately-woven bamboo baskets, cases and vases line the roadside alongside thin raw bamboo strips strewn for drying in the sun.

A group of 40 members (which includes many families with women and kids) are engaged in this work since decades. One of the artisans Ramdas, who spoke to SOM, said the group originally hails from Nellore in Andhra Pradesh. They come here for four to five months and bring the bamboo along with them for making the artifacts.
They have been selling bamboo artifacts in city since 20 years. Now, the district administration is providing them houses on the outskirts of the city with all basic amenities.
The cost of each bamboo vase ranges from Rs.300 to Rs. 500, depending on the size and design. Their exhibit is worth a visit for those who crave to beautify their home with eco-friendly natural products.