Monday, Sep 10, 2007
| Traditional palanquins may soon disappear from public sight
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There was a time when people would celebrate arrival of their newly wedded daughter-in-law in palanquin to their home with great joy. But today the palanquin makers and carriers warn the old majestic charm may soon disappear.
Popularly known as “Doli”, the palanquin culture is believed to be fast disappearing from even the remote areas. The city-dwellers at large have already forgotten the old joy long time ago.
A locality in Moradabad known as “Kaharon Wali Gali” near Kohna Mugalpura presents a real life example.
It used to be a hub of Doli-makers. Today, it presents a deserted look with abject poverty visible at every door. Just a decade ago, the locality was full of hustle-bustle around marriage seasons.
Akhtan Ahmed, a Doli bearer, said: "Our elders always preferred Dolis, but now it is losing its significance. Now marriages are organised at big hotels or expensive venues. People have turned modern and nearly turned ignorant to the joy of Doli. Actually, the bride looks good only in a “Doli”."
The shift from the “Doli” culture to cars, following the Western fashion, has taken a toll on a large number of families making palanquins for generations. It has also affected the “Doli-Wallas” who would carry a palanquin to distant places on their shoulders.
Most of the wedding cards for a marriage today carry a word “Doli” for the bride’s farewell held at 4.00 or 5.00 in the morning. But the families opt for cars in place of traditional “Doli” these days.
Ahmed said: "Our “Dolis” were once very famous. The people from all over the country ordered them. But now, no one orders them at all. Thus, we are in a big trouble. Our whole society is unemployed now."
There was a time when 100 to 150 Dolis could be easily spotted, here a decade ago outside many houses. Today, the number can be counted on fingers.
Tanvir, a member of Doli bearers’ family, said: "Our business has been completely wrecked. We have children to feed at our homes. If this situation continues, how will we feed them? The Government is indifferent to our plight. We can hardly feed our kids once a day."
Mohammed Iqbal, another Doli bearer, said: "Many families have become unemployed but the government is paying no heed to us. We are following this profession since the times of our forefathers."
Today, private vehicles are preferred to carry a bride from the marriage venue to in-laws’ place. Earlier, the farewell of the newly married girl would only be done using “Doli”.
The palanquin-makers and carriers in Moradabad warn that time is not very far away when the palanquin would be best remembered through classical films by the new age people. (ANI)
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