The kattumarams, teppas and masulas of India, the chandis of Bangladesh, the graceful orus of Sri Lanka, the dhonis of the Maldives – they embody tradition, functionality, diversity and beauty. Despite limitations in catching and carrying capacity, these crafts capture the bulk of the fish catch in the Bay of Bengal and sustain a few million fishermen – and women from fishing communities who market the catch. The drawings in the BOBP-IGO’s 2011 table calendar provide glimpses into these crafts, which have been active for centuries and may well be around a few more. The drawings were made by S Jayaraj from photographs drawn from the photo-archives of the BOBP-IGO.
