CRISIS OF MASK IN PRESENT CORONA CONTEXT: A CASE STUDY ON CHARIDA VILLAGE OF PURULIA DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL

The people of India as well as West Bengal is going through a crisis period due to COVID-19. And in order to reduce the infection India government has taken a step of ‘lockdown' which means a state of restriction access instituted as a security measure. Due to this situation all over the state, the rhythm of daily life journey has fallen. Rural and urban economy of a country is totally disrupted. The main objective of this study is to fine out the lockdown effects on economy of the mask makers. Charida (Chorda) a rural craft hub has been selected as a study area. In this village almost total households are engaged with mask making and Chhau dancing. Craftsmen had taken loan of high amount with 50% interest rate for this rural mask making business and also invested money for performance of Chhau dance in outside of the village or district. But this ‘Corona' demon pandemic totally hits their economic development curve. Cancellation of every outside show and fair, dancer as well as craftsmen have lost their income. Those who are engaged to collect products from forest and sells products at local or district market, lockdown also hammer on their economy. Still now extension of lockdown is totally disrupting their source of income. In between mental pressure they are fighting with this tough situation and trying to recover their loss with alternate option. Such as designer mask as protective face gear and perform Chhau dance with maintain social distancing between the performers.