The state government has decided to present lac handicraft products, prepared by the Sankari community of Nabarangpur district, to guest and players, who will come to the city for the Men’s Hockey Work Cup.

“The state government has placed an order for at least 700 lac boxes each pricing Rs 300 and we are happy to get such a bulk order,” said artisan Madhavi Patrao.

According to the artisans, lac base is given on boxes made up of bamboo measuring 6x6 inch with a depth of 3.5 inch.

“The work is laborious and each day one person can make two boxes. At present, about 12 artisans are engaged in the work and we have already prepared more than 350 boxes. We hope to meet the target before October 30,” said artisan Ambika Patro.

A woman prepares lac boxes in Nabarangpur district. Telegraph picture

A community member they inherited the age-old tradition from their ancestors, who used to decorate the king’s palace at Jeypore and houses of zamindars with lac on festive occasions.

Mostly, women members of the community are engaged in the lac handicrafts and they prepare boxes, pots, toys and decorative items by giving lac base on bamboo and wooden articles.

White lac is prepared by mixing red, green, black and yellow colours and they make lac threads by melting dry lac candy.

About 30 families of the community reside at the Sankari Stree of Nabarangpur. The artisans lament the lack of government patronage.

“There is no proper marketing facility for the products, which is unique in nature. As the business is not profitable, several artisans are drifting to other professions for livelihood. The government should restore the tradition before it dies,” said Kali Charan Patro, a community member.