Is the bullock cart extinct already ?

An old unclaimed order, not for sale

As planned, last week we were heading in National Highway on a sunny day.  Myself was driving Subbu's Hero Honda bike with him seated in the pillion resting for a change. We were zooming in NH7 highway towards a small town called Panagudi.  The town Panagudi is famous for its karuppatti (a jaggery or dark candy made of palm juice). It is also the eipcentre of all wind farms which benefit through high winds coming from Kerala passing through a crevice in western Ghats.

Here we were in search of a man whom we heared is the achari (Carpenter) for making bullock cart. Like a good city guy, I was checking if I had some money in my wallet in case I need to pay advance. Finally through Subbu's intution, we found a gully having three workshops displaying wooden cart wheels. I was happy. we have spotted. But alas !


All the three shops refused to take any order. One carpenter told that it has been 15 years hence they have not made any carts.  Even if he takes order, workers or artisans will not come. He has been making few vehicles, that is for sporting. In another workshop a chief carpenter with his team was sleeping after a good night's work.

There were neatly finished wooden wheels, but with very heavy rims. The wheels were made of very thick teak wood.  Definitely not for a bullock cart.  On hearing our foot steps, he woke up and started speaking. He said he can take our order, but only on exception. The wheels he is making now is for a chariot for a temple. Of late he had been making such

Visiting Card;
Translates to S Kuppusami Carpenter,
Shivani Vehicle Work Shop, Main Road, Panagudi

chariots only and was praising himself for his unique style. He also named some rich and influential people in the locality as his close friends and said he has made sporting carts for one or two.  Period.  He said he is the last surviving carpenter who makes bullock cart wheels, at least in Tirunelveli district. His Son and wife were in abroad. He gave a visiting card too !

From what we spoke, we heared that new Bullock cart is next to impossible to make as there are no artisans or they are no more interested. Even if we press further it may cost upwords of Rs. 60,000/-.  Plus a driver and couple of bullocks. Total would exceed a lakh.  Very costly proposition. No wonder farmers have moved out to purchase small tracktors. But how long ? Till the oil lasts in Iraq ?

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