Harshini Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Jul 28: Life has been hard for Vedavathi, but she chisels her pain into beautiful artwork from wood. The 66-year-old is educated up to class 5 and never imagined that her hobby, carpentry, would help her earn her daily bread and strengthen her lonely life.
Born in extreme poverty, Vedavathi’s parents worked hard to feed their seven daughters and one son. Financial difficulties forced her to stop her education. It was here, that Vedavathi first laid her hands on the chisel. She learnt the art of carpentry from her brother and she used to help him whenever possible.
Vedavathi settled in Nejar in Udupi after her marriage. The couple was blessed with a daughter and educating her became Vedavathi’s life goal. However, her husband fell ill. With his deteriorating health, Vedavathi had now the responsibility of earning the household income, managing the treatment for her husband and fulfilling her daughter’s dreams of becoming a CA.
Unfortunately, Vedavathi’s husband’s health never improved and after suffering for 10 years, he passed away in 2016. When she was trying to recover from the grief of losing her husband, tragedy struck again and her daughter died of illness in 2017.
When life took away everything that was dear to her, Vedavathi immersed herself into carpentry. “This is just not a profession, it helps me forget my pain,” she tells Daijiworld.
Vedavathi’s day begins by selecting wood from a wood mill at Ambagilu. Though soft spoken, her hands create magic when she holds the chisel and hammer. She creates beautiful furniture as well as the wooden stand on which deity is placed in the Pooja room. She sells the furniture she makes at a shop at Car Street. “Some villagers place orders for different furniture and pay me more than I ask,” she says.
Vedavathi’s sister’s daughter and grand children have moved in with her. She has also adopted her sister’s son.
When questioned on why she does not opt for pension from the government, she says that she does not want anybody’s obligation nor be dependent on anyone. “One should work when healthy,” she opines.
“We should work hard so that the food that we eat makes us feel content. We should also think about the future of our children. Young generation is giving up carpentry these days. It is good to continue the unique art bestowed by Vishwakarma deity,” she says.