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EYESORE
539


Girish Chandra Bhaskar Address:—
Khagra,
Berhampur.
Nemai Chandra Bhaskar
Gopal Chandra Bhaskar
Durlav Chandra Bhaskar
Hari Krishna Bhaskar
Narain Chandra Bhaskar
Gopal Chandra Bhaskar Address:—
Enaitulla Bag,
Via Jiagunge P. O.
Nilmoni Bhaskar
Murari Mohon Bhaskar
Gokul Chandra Bhaskar
Umesh Chandra Bhaskar
Mahesh Chandra Bhaskar
Sriram Chandra Bhaskar

The two first named are the best artists in Berhampur.

Two things are now necessary for the resuscitation of the art. More extensive patronage on the part of the people and improvement both in the methods and ideals of the art. In fact the first is dependent on the fulfilment of the second. The ivory carver has at present certain stock models which are reproduced time after time with dull monotony. He must come out of the fixed grooves and give freer scope to imagination and artistic feelings. He must learn to draw inspiration from the great book of Nature. The Murshidabad carver is an adept in the art of carving any figure or design even from so unsatisfactory a model as a photograph. It would not then be too much to hope that he could easily effect an improvement in his taste and design if suitable European or Japanese specimens were made available to him. Then again he must learn the use of modern implements which have the double advantage of at once improving the quality and finish as well as cheapening the products. This in its turn will widen the market and give the desired impetus to the art.

The following is a list of the ivory-articles usually made in Murshidabad with their prices.

Letters of the alphabet 1 to 1½ as per letter.
Durga (the Goddess) Rs. 50 to Rs. 300
Kali (the Goddess) Rs. 40 to Rs. 120
Jagaddhatree standing on the Lion and Elephant with two attendant Goddesses Rs. 50 to Rs. 125
Jagannath's car procession Rs. 50 to Rs. 150
Palanquin, single or with bearers and attendants Rs. 15 to Rs. 100
Chessmen Rs. 25 to Rs. 300
Work Box Rs. 25 to Rs. 300
Elephant, single or caparisoned or fighting with tigers Rs. 505 to Rs. 150
Horse, plain or with riders Rs. 502 to Rs. 15030
Bullock cart Rs. 508 to Rs. 15050
Maurpankhi or peacock state barge Rs. 10 to Rs. 100
Camel, single or with driver Rs. 504 to Rs. 15040
Cow, single or with calf Rs. 503 to Rs. 15020
Dog Rs. 502 to Rs. 1508
Pig Rs. 502 to Rs. 15010
Buffalo Rs. 503 to Rs. 15020
Crocodile Rs. 505 to Rs. 15020
Deer Rs. 502 to Rs. 15015
Plough with ploughman Rs. 503 to Rs. 15020
Locket and chain Rs. 504 to Rs. 15010
Earrings Rs. 504 to Rs. 15010
Figures of Zenana ladies etc. Rs. 502 to Rs. 1505
Paper cutter Rs. 501 to Rs. 15030
Bangles, braclets with or without gold or silver mounting Rs. 20 and upwards
Card case Rs. 6 to 15
Knitting needles As. 8 for a set of four
Crochet needles Rs. 1
Napkin rings Rs. 2 8 each
Photo frames Rs. 15 to Rs. 10060
Baskets Rs. 30 to Rs. 100
Walking sticks Rs. 25 to Rs. 10075
Chamur
Combs

It is understood, of course, that the price varies according to the size of the pieces and also according to the quality of the work.

This article has been compiled from "A Monograph on Ivory carving in Bengal" by G. C. Datta, B. A., Assistant to the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Bengal (1901). The illustrations are also from the same work.

Bisveswar Chatterji.



EYESORE

By Rabindranath Tagore.

XX

FACE to face with Mahendra, all Asha's troubled fancies cleared away like a fleeting mist. She could hardly look him in the eye for shame at what she had written.

"How could you charge me with such awful things?" said Mahendra reproachfully, as he brought out the three letters from his pocket.

Asha was greatly distressed. "For heaven's sake, tear them up," she implored,