Agra (UP), March 16 The ongoing conflict between the US and Israel, and Iran, has cast a shadow over Agra's marble handicrafts industry, which is renowned for its Pachikari artwork, and traders say is on the verge of grinding to a halt.
Artisans say that demand has dwindled due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, leading to the closure of handicraft units and leaving them without work.
Pachikari, primarily practiced in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, involves delicate inlay work of semi-precious stones into white marble, inspired by Mughal-era architecture.
Adnan Sheikh, a marble handicrafts trader, said that the primary customers for this intricate marble inlay work are from West Asia.
The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has affected countries in West Asia. As a result, the flow of orders from these countries has virtually stopped. Even some pending orders have been put on hold at the customers' request, Sheikh said.
Several major traders in the Gulf nations who regularly procure marble inlay items from Agra have also temporarily suspended their operations.
Ayush Gupta, president of the Taj Mahal Eastern Gate Trade Association, said that approximately 35,000 artisans in Agra are associated with the marble inlay industry.
Since the construction of the Taj Mahal, the intricate Pachikari inlay work has been practiced in Agra, passed down from generation to generation through traditional methods.
Gupta said that there are numerous families whose lineage has been dedicated to this craft for generations. Every year, goods worth crores are exported from handicraft units in Agra, with Gulf nations accounting for the largest share of these exports.
However, the prevailing conflict situation has significantly affected the trade, he said.
While factories have closed down amid the prevailing uncertainty, artisans practicing the craft as a family trade are unable to secure assignments. Consequently, a livelihood crisis looms over these artisans, Gupta said, expressing apprehension that as long as the conflict persists, the Pachikari export is expected to remain suspended.
Pointing towards the scale of the affected trade, Gupta said that last year, handicrafts worth around Rs 700 crore were exported.