Assam: Doom Dooma Artisan Turns Bamboo And Wood Into Cultural Masterpieces

DOOM DOOMA: A retired employee of the irrigation department of Doom Dooma, in the Shantipur village, has gained accolades for his sheer brilliance and handiwork. By using mere simple tools such as saw, knife, hammer, and chisel, Mahanta develops marvelous bamboo and wooden work celebrating the heritage of Assam's culture.

The creations he produces range from lifelike presentations of Srimanta Sankardev, idols of gods, day-to-day use articles, birds, animals, and scenes which depict rural life.

Mahanta attributes the success of his talent to divine grace; he says, "By God's blessing, I can recreate anything I see, even just once. But due to financial constraints, my work is limited to some extent, as advanced tools are too expensive for me to purchase." He faces severe challenges in maintaining his creations.

He was turned down when he requested for government funding in 2022–2023 to store and exhibit his art. "I don't know why my application was rejected," he responded. "To my knowledge, no one from this region has received such support."

"I fell in love with these pieces," says Mahanta. "I would never imagine throwing them away, but using my resources to preserve these pieces is an uphill task," he said, full of emotion in his voice. He aspires for people to come and enjoy his creations while hoping the pieces inspire them to embark on similar creativity.

Mahanta has urged the government to intervene for protection, as his craft would last on as an heir to the long tradition of art and heritage of Assam.

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