The Struggle to Keep Tradition Alive
A Fading Sound in the Evening
In a small Telangana village, evenings used to feel louder.
The sound of dappu drums, children laughing, elders calling out, and somewhere in between… the quiet tapping of hands shaping something meaningful.
Today, that sound is softer.
The sky still turns orange. The breeze still carries the smell of soil. But something feels missing.
Inside one house, an old artisan sits alone.
In front of him, a half-made mask. In his eyes, a quiet question.
“Will this continue after me?”
He does not say it aloud. But the silence says everything.
A Tradition That Once Filled Every Street
There was a time when tribal masks were everywhere in Telangana villages.
During festivals, every street came alive. Masks of gods, spirits, animals, and protectors filled the space with energy.
People gathered under open skies. Stories were told through movement, music, and masks.
These masks were not just objects.
They carried belief. They carried fear, hope, and strength.
This craft was not separate from life. It was life.
Passed from one generation to another, it became a part of Telangana’s identity—like its soil, like its songs, like its festivals.
The Slow, Honest Work of Creation
Even today, the process of making a mask has not changed much.
It still begins with simple materials—clay, paper, or wood.
An artisan sits down, his hands steady, his mind calm. He shapes the base slowly, pressing gently, forming a face from nothing.
There is no machine. No shortcut.
Only patience.
The mask is left to dry under the sun. Time becomes part of the process.
Then comes color.
Yellow like turmeric from the kitchen. Red like kumkum used in prayers. Black like the night sky over the fields.
Each stroke is careful. Each line is meaningful.
The eyes are painted last.
Because when the eyes are done… the mask begins to feel alive.
But behind that life, there is a quiet struggle.
The Lives That Carry the Craft
The artisans who continue this work live simple lives.
They wake up early. Do household work. Work in fields or small jobs.
And in between, they create.
This craft is learned at home.
A father teaches his son how to shape clay. A mother shows her daughter how to paint fine lines.
No certificates. No big recognition.
Only practice. Only patience.
They don’t speak much about their skill.
But when a mask is finished, there is a small smile.
That smile holds years of learning. Years of quiet pride.
The Weight They Carry Today
But today, this pride walks alongside struggle.
Income is not steady. Some days bring work, many days bring none.
Markets are far. Buyers are fewer. Middlemen take a big share.
Machine-made products are everywhere—cheap, fast, identical.
But they don’t carry the same soul.
Still, people often choose them.
Young people in the village see this.
They see their parents working hard, earning little. They begin to look away from the craft.
They want stable jobs. Regular income. A different life.
And slowly, the chain breaks.
An artisan may spend hours making something beautiful… and still wonder if it is worth continuing.
This is the real struggle.
Not just to sell… but to survive.
Support That Doesn’t Reach Every Door
There are efforts being made.
Government schemes, handicraft fairs, training programs—these aim to support artisans and bring their work into the spotlight.
Some artisans benefit. Some get recognition. Some find new opportunities.
But many remain unseen.
Information does not always reach small villages. Access is not easy.
There is support, yes. But it is not equal.
Some move forward. Many are still waiting.
Why This Fight Matters
This struggle is not just about a craft.
It is about identity.
These masks carry the stories of Telangana. They hold memories of festivals, rituals, and community life.
They remind us of a time when art was not separate from daily living.
They also show a way of working that respects nature—simple materials, slow processes, human touch.
If this tradition fades, we lose more than objects.
We lose stories. We lose voices. We lose a part of ourselves.
What We Feel When We Truly See
When someone looks at a handmade mask with attention, something changes.
It is not just about color or design.
It is about connection.
You begin to imagine the hands that made it. The home it came from. The life behind it.
It feels real.
It feels human.
And in that moment, you understand its true value.
A Quiet Call to Care
This tradition does not need loud support.
It needs understanding.
The next time you see such a craft, pause.
Look closely.
Think about the effort. Think about the story.
You don’t have to do much.
But you can respect. You can value. You can share its story.
Because even small awareness can keep something alive.
Closing Thoughts
In the quiet corners of Telangana, artisans are still working.
Their hands move slowly, shaping faces that carry history.
They are not asking for attention. They are not asking for praise.
They are simply continuing.
Holding onto something that matters.
Even when it is difficult.
Even when it feels uncertain.
Because for them, this is not just a craft.
It is a part of their life.
And keeping it alive… is a struggle they carry with silent strength.
To know more about this living heritage, visit:
https://tribalmasktg.com
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Telangana, the youngest state in India, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, scenic beauty, and world-famous handicrafts. Its traditional arts include Cheriyal Paintings, Nirmal Toys, hand embroidery (Nagaram, Nizamabad), Bobbin Lace, Banjara Embroidery, Zari–Zardozi, cotton durries, lac bangles, Baithak paintings, Ikat, pearl jewellery, intricate stone carvings, and hand-printed cotton textiles, each deeply rooted in tradition and craftsmanship.
The Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS), under the Ministry of Textiles, aims to holistically develop handicraft clusters across India, including Telangana.
Supported by: The Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), the nodal agency for promoting and developing the Indian handicrafts sector, focused on artisan empowerment, market expansion, and sustainable livelihoods.
Executed by: The Andhra Pradesh Productivity Council (APPC), an autonomous non-profit organization established in 1958 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, implementing the project in Telangana through consultancy, micro-enterprise development, skill development, training, surveys, energy audits, and rural livelihood initiatives.
Technology Partner: Next Page Technologies Pvt. Ltd., providing technology development and digital presence with expertise in enterprise web and mobile applications, ERP systems, AI, ML, analytics, and automation, and extensive experience across MSMEs, government projects, and sectors including HR Tech, Commerce, EdTech, Manufacturing, and AgriTech etc.
