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Wooden comb of Ujjain a healthy replacement for plastic combs

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Published : Jan 10, 2020, 7:28 AM IST

Legacy of wooden comb makers
Legacy of wooden comb makers

In a bid to make the country plastic-free, Chhaganlal hailing from Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district has been maintaining the legacy of making wooden comb from the last seven decades. Chhanganlal's craftmanship has taken him places and prominent personalities such as Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi and Madhya Pradesh's Chief Minister Kamal Nath lauding his efforts in continuing the craft.

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): Nestled in the dingy lane of 'Kangi Mohalla', an offbeat track in MP's Ujjain district, Chhaganlal's house is quite discernible!

The indigo-stained house is a landmark to those searching for traditional wooden comb makers in the area, which earlier had a flourish of such craftsmen.

Legacy of wooden comb makers

Now, Chhaganlal, an octogenarian, is the only one left to continue the legacy of wooden comb makers, sustaining the art form in an unassuming corner of the country.

His frail and wrinkled fingers are still nimble, as they work deftly on North Indian Rosewood, also known as Sheesham Wood in local parlance.

"These are a lot better than the plastic ones which people are using now. The latter is harmful to the environment as well as the hair, whereas the wooden comb helps in addressing the common hair ailments, including dandruff," said Chhaganlal, fashioning pretty 'designer combs' from chiselled blocks of wood.

He further claimed that wooden combs were superior to their plastic counterparts, effectively preventing hair fall besides providing a gentle massage to the scalp.

“It is easier to untangle your hair with the wooden comb. It prevents hair fall and keeps your hair less frizzy. I have been using this for the past seven decades and the result is in front of you,” he added, brushing his greying hair, which he terms as the initial 'quality check'.

Chhaganlal's handcrafted wooden combs come in a myriad of designs, ranging from birds to fishes, and costs between Rs 50 - 150. He also claimed that his combs were not only famous in India but also abroad.

With old professions being swallowed up by the 'New India', like The Rudaalis of Rajasthan or Godna Artists of Jharkhand or the Ittarwallas, this traditional art form of handcrafted wooden combs seems to be continuing. Thanks to people like Chhaganlal.

Chhanganlal's skill has taken him places and prominent personalities such as Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi and Madhya Pradesh's Chief Minister Kamal Nath lauding his efforts in continuing the craft.

Also Read: MP's 'Blue Village' that got rid of plastic in 80 days

Intro:Body:

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): Nestled in the dingy lane of 'Kangi Mohalla', an offbeat track in MP's Ujjain district, Chhaganlal's house is quite discernible! 



The indigo-stained house is a landmark to those searching for traditional wooden comb makers in the area, which earlier had a flourish of such craftsmen. 



Now, Chhaganlal, an octogenarian, is the only one left to continue the legacy of wooden comb makers, sustaining the artform in an unassuming corner of the country. 



His frail and wrinkled fingers are still nimble, as they work deftly on North Indian Rosewood, also known as Sheesham Wood in local parlance. 



"These are lot better than the plastic ones which people are using now. The latter are harmful to the environment as well as the hair, whereas the wooden comb helps in addressing the common hair ailments, including dandruff," said Chhaganlal, fashioning pretty 'designer combs' from chiselled blocks of wood. 



He further claimed that wooden combs were superior to their plastic counterparts, effectively preventing hairfall besides providing a gentle massage to the scalp. 



“Look, it is easier to untangle your hair with the wooden comb. It prevents hairfall and keeps your hair less frizzy. I have been using this for the past seven decades and the result is in front of you,” he added, brushing his greying hair, which he terms as the initial 'quality check'.  



Chhaganlal's handcrafted wooden combs come in a myriad of designs, ranging from birds to fishes, and costs between Rs 50 - 150. He also claimed that his combs were not only famous in India but also abroad. 



With old professions being swallowed up by the 'New India', like The Rudaalis of Rajasthan or Godna Artists of Jharkhand or the Ittarwallas, this traditional artform of handcrafted wooden combs seems to be continuing. Thanks to people like Chhaganlal.   



Chhanganlal's has taken him places and prominent personalities such as Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi and Madhya Pradesh's Chief Minister Kamal Nath lauding his efforts in continuing the craft.  



His message to the people is clear, use wood and ban plastic. 





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VO: Nestled in the dingy lane of 'Kangi Mohalla', an offbeat track in MP's Ujjain district, Chhaganlal's house is quite discernible!



GFX: Nestled in the dingy lane of 'Kangi Mohalla' of Ujjain, Chhaganlal's house is quite discernible!



VO: The indigo-stained house is a landmark to those searching for traditional wooden comb makers in the area, which earlier had a flourish of such craftsmen.



GFX: The indigo-stained house is a landmark to those searching for traditional wooden comb makers



VO: Chhaganlal, an octogenarian, is the only few left to continue the legacy of wooden comb makers, sustaining the artform in an unassuming corner of the country.



GFX: Chhaganlal is one among only few left to continue the legacy of wooden comb makers



VO: His frail and wrinkled fingers are still nimble, as they work deftly on North Indian Rosewood, also known as Sheesham Wood in local parlance.



GFX: His wrinkled fingers still work deftly on Sheesham Wood



Name: Chhaganlal,

Designation-- Wooden comb-maker





VO: He claimes that wooden combs were superior to their plastic counterparts, effectively preventing hairfall besides providing a gentle massage to the scalp.



gfx: He claims wooden comb helps in preventing hairfall and provides massage to the scalp.



VO: Brushing his greying hair, which he terms as the initial 'quality check', it prevents hairfall and keeps your hair less frizzy.



GFX: Wooden comb prevents hairfall and keeps your hair less frizzy.



VO: Chhaganlal's handcrafted wooden combs come in a myriad of designs, ranging from birds to fishes, and costs between Rs 50 - 150.



GFX: His handcrafted wooden combs come in a myriad of designs, costing between Rs 50 - 150.



VO: Chhanganlal's has taken him places and prominent personalities such as Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi and Madhya Pradesh's Chief Minister Kamal Nath lauding his efforts in continuing the craft.  



GFX: INC chief Sonia Gandhi, MP CM Kamal Nath lauded Chhaganlal for his efforts.

 



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Name: Chhaganlal,

Designation-- Wooden comb-maker





Translation:

 

05:14 to 05:31: The wood is very beneficial, as you can see my hair. After making the wooden comb I quality check it. I even check it when I receive the Sheesham Wood in bulk.



05:32to 05:34-- Reporter: How much do you earn?



05:35 to  05:37   -- Enough to earn a living



05: 38 to 05:42  Reporter: What people say after seeing your handcrafted wooden combs ?



05:43 to 05:53-- Yes, people buy it.  I put stalls where people from Delhi, Bombay, Chennai and abroad too.



05:54 to 6:07 --On October 2, Sonia Gandhi awarded me for my craft in Delhi. 



6:08 to 06:14 -- MP's CM Kamal Nath called me to award in Bhopal's Kajra. He awarded me there.



6:14 to 6: 16-- Reporter: How good is it for environment?



6:17 to 6:23 -- The wood is very good as we used Sheesham wood to make comb 





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