#waitingforwork

A Day That Feels Longer Than Usual

In a Telangana village, the morning begins like any other.

The sun rises slowly. Tea is poured into steel glasses. The wooden lathe is ready.

But today, something feels different.

The artisan sits beside his tools, but his hands are still.

There is no order to complete. No deadline to meet.

Only time.

And waiting.

A Craft That Once Had a Steady Rhythm

There was a time when work flowed naturally.

Before festivals, orders would come in plenty. Shops would ask for more pieces. Middlemen would visit homes, collecting finished items.

The lathe would spin from morning till night.

There was tiredness, yes.

But also satisfaction.

Because work meant income. And income meant stability.

The rhythm of life felt steady.

The Silence of No Work

But today, the rhythm breaks.

The artisan looks at the stack of finished pieces kept in one corner.

They are ready.

Polished. Coloured. Carefully made.

But no one has come to take them.

No calls. No visits.

Only silence.

He picks up one piece, inspects it again, though he knows it is perfect.

Then he places it back.

There is nothing more to do.

A Different Kind of Struggle

When work is there, the body gets tired.

But when work is not there, the mind becomes heavy.

Thoughts begin to grow.

“How will I manage this week?”

“What about school fees?”

“What about household expenses?”

These questions do not leave easily.

They sit quietly, like shadows.

The artisan does not always share these worries.

He carries them inside.

The Family That Feels It Too

At home, everyone understands—even without words.

The wife adjusts expenses.

The children notice small changes.

Less spending. More careful decisions.

No one complains.

But the feeling is there.

A kind of quiet tension that fills the house.

The Child Watching Again

A child sits nearby, watching his father.

But today, he is not watching work.

He is watching waiting.

He sees the unfinished day.

He sees the worry.

And slowly, he understands something deeper—

This craft is not just about skill.

It is also about uncertainty.

Why Orders Have Become Uncertain

Many things have changed over time.

Markets are different now.

Plastic and factory-made products are easily available.

They are cheaper. Faster to produce.

Customers have more choices.

And often, they choose what is quick and affordable.

Traditional crafts take time.

And sometimes, time is not valued the same way anymore.

So orders become irregular.

Unpredictable.

Support That Doesn’t Always Reach in Time

There are efforts to help artisans.

Government schemes, exhibitions, and financial assistance programs exist.

Some artisans benefit from them.

Some find new customers.

But for many, these supports do not come when they are most needed.

Information may not reach them.

Processes may feel difficult.

And so, on days when there are no orders, they continue to wait—on their own.

Why This Waiting Matters

This waiting is not just about one day.

It is about survival.

It is about keeping the craft alive.

Because every day without work makes the future more uncertain.

And slowly, it affects decisions.

Some artisans reduce production.

Some leave the craft.

Some encourage their children to choose different paths.

This is how traditions fade.

Not suddenly.

But slowly, through days of waiting.

What We Don’t See as Customers

When we see a wooden lacquer piece in a shop or market, we see the final product.

We see its colour, its finish.

But we do not see the days behind it.

The days of work.

And the days of waiting.

We do not see the uncertainty that sits quietly behind every piece.

But it is there.

Always.

A Gentle Thought About Value and Time

Somewhere in Telangana, an artisan is sitting today, waiting for an order.

His tools are ready.

His skills are sharp.

His hands are willing.

Only the opportunity is missing.

Maybe we cannot remove every struggle.

But we can begin by understanding.

By seeing the effort behind handmade work.

By valuing not just the product, but the time, the patience, and the waiting that comes with it.

Because when we support such crafts, we are not just encouraging work.

We are giving continuity to a life, a skill, and a story.

Not every day is filled with the sound of the lathe. Some days are filled with silence, waiting, and hope— and still, the artisan sits, ready to begin again.

To know more about this living heritage, visit: https://woodenlaquerware.com/

Related Craft Links (Explore & Learn)

https://cheriyalscrollpainting.com

https://ikathnalgonda.com

https://lacbanglescharminar.com

https://cottondurrieswarangal.com

https://bathikpaintingsiddipet.com

https://zarizardosihyderabad.com

https://handembriderynagaram.com

https://handembriderynizamabad.com

https://bobbinlacestationghanpur.com

https://banjaraembroiderytg.com

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.