The Encounter
I was spending a few relaxed days in our ancestral home. Suddenly, Benumama came one day. I am very fond of Benumama -- a jovial man of varied tastes. In his fifties, he's a painter by profession. His work has won wide acclaim, both within and outside the country. I feel I have imbibed an aesthetic taste under his influence.
After talking about our relatives and other issues, Benumama said, "Let's go to Birpara today, we can get there in an hour. There's a good exhibition on and the items on display -- mostly handicrafts by the local artisans, are supposed to be mind-boggling." I couldn't refuse the offer.
When we reached Birpara, it was around 3p.m. The fair was already teeming with people. The visitors seemed to be on the lookout for some items at reasonable prices. We moved from stall to stall: "How much is that flower vase?" Benumama asked one stall owner. "Fifteen rupees." "I'll pay you thirteen rupees. If you're willing to sell it to me at that price, I will take it," Benumama said. After thinking for a while, the stall owner said "O.K. You can have it."
We saw the other stalls. Benumama bought a few more items. I, too, purchased a beautiful ceramic pot. There were only a few stalls that we hadn't quite seen yet. In one of the stalls, I found an old man sitting quietly. There were no customers around. Amongst other items in his stall, I was greatly impressed by the artistry of some Tagore statues on display.
"How much does that Tagore statue cost?" I asked. "Twenty rupees, sir" the old man said. I thought that was reasonable priced. I didn't want to bargain. "Give me two," I told him. I gave him a fifty-rupee note.
When he handed me the item with the change, I asked him to keep the change. I was preparing to leave after I had the two statues carefully placed in my bag. "Sir!" he called out. "Yes, what?" I turned back and inquired. "Sir, please take the remaining amount back. We're poor. Yet somehow we're able to eke out a livelihood. The items you bought today, have been made by me. It took me a few days to make them. When I was young, I went to school and studied Tagore. I was greatly influenced by him. For personal reasons, I had to discontinue studies. I eventually adopted this profession to make a living. It pains me to sell these statues that I have made with so much effort, but I always console myself that my Tagore will adorn the room of one of his admirers. Here, take your ten rupees. Just keep my Tagore properly. I will be pleased."
I was stunned. I looked at Benumama. Benumama said, "Let's go. It's getting late."
On our return journey, Benumama said, "Some of these craftsmen are incredibly talented and hard-working, but sadly their economic condition doesn't improve. The businessmen buy their products at very low prices and sell them to foreigners at an inflated price."
On hearing this, I became silent. Benumama also didn't speak much for the remaining part of the journey.
One fine day, Benumama came up with an idea. "Let us try to do something for these brilliant sculptors of your town. Your registered cultural club, the Breakthrough Group, can get its member together and try set up an emporium for them wherein they will sell their wares at a certain fair and the prices will be fixed by the government."
We did translate Benumama's words into action. I got my club members together and we've set up a state emporium in our small town and it gives me a sense of pride to say that many of the local craftsmen have benefited as a consequence of this one gesture.
