Photo : TDM
The shell of wood-apple (bel) is no longer a trash. Rather, it has become a cash crop now. Beautiful necklaces are made up from the shell of wood-apple which is used during the weddings and other religious festivals of Hindu community.
The reputation of this 'Bel Mala' (wood-apple necklace) has spread beyond the borders of the country upto foreign markets. About 50 families of the remote Mohammadpur Upazila of Magura have changed their fortunes by making this ornament.
The skilled hand-made necklaces of these family members of Brishnagar and Charselamatpur villages of Babukhali Union of Mohammadpur Upazila have brought joy and comfort to their lives. In these two villages, people from neighboring countries are dressed in attractive and colorful necklaces made by many people including Sandhya Biswas, Tripti Biswas, Durga Roy,
Usha Biswas, Minu Biswas. Not only the housewives, the householders here and their children are also skilled in making these Bel Mala.
In some villages in the remote areas, poor people have chosen this work of making necklaces as a means of livelihood. They have sustained this art through generations.
People of Mohammadpur village go to different areas including Magura, Narail, Rajbari, Jhenaidah, Chuadanga and collect green wood-apple and shells. They are processed and used to make Bel Mala (Wood-apple necklace).
Besides, there are some moneylenders in that village. They buy these ornaments from the villagers and sell them in different districts of the country including Dhaka.
These necklaces go to several countries including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka through a fashion house in Dhaka. Local moneylender Kalipada Biswas sends these to that institution in the capital. He buys each mala at the rate of Tk 90 to Tk 130. He used to send them to several districts including Dhaka, Chittagong, Bogura, and Sirajganj. The company in Dhaka has been exporting these necklaces for several years.
Bel Malas are made up in Babukhali Union for several generations. They said that they usually buy 300 wood-apples at the rate of 500 taka. It costs 20 to 30 taka to make a bunch of necklace. The village moneylender buys it at the rate of 90-130 taka.
Tripti Rani and Sandhya Rani of Charselamatpur village, said, “Time has changed. It is not as profitable as before. Even though the mala is sold at a good price in the market, its benefits are not reaching them. Even then, the family survives by making these ornaments”.
Artists claim that if the government does not take steps to save the industry, this profession will disappear soon.
Abdus Salam, Deputy Manager of Magura District Industrial Support Centre, said, “In addition to making the people involved in this profession more skilled through advanced training, initiatives will be taken to provide necessary support for the development of handicrafts.
UNO Ramanand Pal of Mohammadpur said, “I have heard the stories of making bel mala. I will visit one day. If necessary, they will be given government assistance.
TDM/SD
