MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS

GOLDSMITHS

Goldsmiths are scattered all over the towns as well as in big villages of the district. They prepare gold as well as silver ornaments. The goldsmith in the village belongs to the traditional balutedari system and is generally known as sonar. However, the system is fast loosing its hold.

The tools and equipment required for this occupation consist of an anvil, bellows, hammers, pincers, pots, crucibles, moulds and nails for ornamental work, drilling machine, cupboards, etc. The cost of these tools varies between Rs. 300 and Rs. 400.

Goldsmiths in rural areas hardly prepare fine and delicate articles as the accent is more on savings in the form of the yellow metal than making any fashionable ornaments. The business is brisk at the time of marriages and festivals, and local fairs. However, it is more or less steady throughout the year. The ornaments generally prepared by the artisans are necklaces, bangles, earrings, rings, etc., besides sunanda har, bakul har, lappha etc., which are more in vogue today.

The goldsmiths, however, have lost much of their business due to the gold control order issued by the Government of India. Many of them have been thrown out of their business, and have been forced to take up other occupations. The Government, however have extended all possible help to them in their rehabilitation in other avenues of employment.

The income of the goldsmiths in urban area as compared with their counterparts in the rural areas of the district varies between Rs. 100 and Rs. 250 per month depending upon the orders received from the customers. Generally metals like gold and silver are supplied by the customers themselves.

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