Oh, my gourd: The art of ghiya, torai crafting — a journey from seed to showpiece

Seed to showpiece

While carving lamps or artifacts in itself is not very tedious, it is the journey of the gourd from farm to workshop that is prolonged. (Photo: Artisan Jagat Ram Dewangan)

In Bastar, Chhattisgarh, gourds are crafted into Tuma or Tumba lamps, often paired with Dhokra crafts. Varieties of “ghiya” (bottle gourd) and pumpkins are intricately carved to create stunning lamp décor and lanterns. Jagatram Dewangan, an award-winning artist making Tuma lamps since 2005, stressed the need for government support, particularly in packaging, as local sales are usually low and artisans have to travel to cities to showcase these. His main income comes from exhibitions and fairs––like Saras and Surajkund––where he showcases his work. He has trained over 100 women and sources gourds from farmers who intercrop them with maize.

When asked about his challenges, he said, “While carving lamps or artifacts in itself is not very tedious, it is the journey of the gourd from farm to workshop that is prolonged. The harvest occurs once a year, and we have to wait for the produce to dry. Ideally, a lamp takes a day to complete depending on the designs and patterns we want to make.”

Harvest to handcrafted

In the era of eco-friendly fashion, gourds offer a sustainable alternative to plastic and synthetic products. (Photo: Swasti Pachauri)

The crafting process requires patience. After harvest, farmers pick the dry gourds and soak them in warm water to remove mold and skin using copper or steel scrubbers. Artisans then extract the seeds and flesh and polish the gourds, turning them into decorative items or utility products, including jewelry made from small gourds. Like many artisans, Jagatram faced challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown but received government support and a loan. “I received governmental support and a loan during COVID-19,” he said.

Worldwide wonders

Diversification in gourd crafts has led to the use of vibrant red, brown, and green oil paints, giving these items an aesthetic similar to Kalamkari art. Globally, particularly in parts of Africa and America, artists use gourds to depict folk tales, turning them into cultural symbols. I met Graham Ottoson in Ithaca, USA, who runs “Gourdlandia,” a sustainable farm business. Growing gourds alongside marigolds, which act as natural insect repellents, the initiative also produces the African wine kettle variety and long dipper gourds, commonly used for lamps, vases, bowls, and musical instruments. During cultural festivals and Thanksgiving, gourd crafts gain popularity.

Artisan Jagat Ram Chhattisgarh working with gourds.

In the era of eco-friendly fashion, gourds offer a sustainable alternative to plastic and synthetic products. They transform from humble vegetables into beautiful décor while empowering agricultural livelihoods and strengthening goals of sustainable consumption and production.