CHINESE PRODUCTS THREATENING SIKKIM'S CURIO BUSINESS

Curio products reflect the art and culture of a particular society and help others understand the significance of that particular community’s art, culture, and tradition. However, over the years, the curio business has been performing below average in Sikkim’s capital city Gangtok. Shop owners also say lack of craftsmanship is ruining the curio business, which was once a handsome trade.

- Sujal Pradhan

 “People nowadays don’t come to curio shops. Moreover, people have lost interest in curio products,” lamented some curio shop owners in Gangtok while speaking to this correspondent.

“As the Chinese goods are flooding the market like wild rivers, they are gradually replacing our traditional curio products. Furthermore, Chinese goods are cheaper compared to curio products. Hence, people are inclined toward them,” said Anand Bansal, a curio shop manager at MG Marg.

He further informed that the curio business has been at its low for the last 7 to 8 years.

“Tourists are not ready to pay for antique curio products. Instead, people are opting for cheaper Chinese products in the market,” he further added.

“People earlier had a craze for curios and antique products, but nowadays, you won’t find that craze,” Bansal bemoaned.

While stating different reasons for the declining curio trend Vicky, the proprietor of Sikkim Art Emporium, said, “Nowadays, people are purchasing more online. As a result, certain curios have also started the trend of booking over the internet. Thus, you can now sit in the comforts of your home and still get your monetary requirements sorted out. As a result, people have stopped visiting shops.”

Though there is a sharp decline in the customers’ footfall at the curio shops, some shops can be still found at certain corners of the town. However, this number is abysmally low.

And what is funnier? These shops dealing with antiques have themselves become an antique history of the town- a pale reminder of a bygone era!