PRAKASH H. PRAJAPATI (WOODEN BLOCK MAKER) Pethapur, Gujarat, India

Prakashbhai’s father Haribhai was also a block maker. His father worked as an assistant at different workshops. He was working in electricity board (GEB) and after that he worked in a Steel Industry for 7 years before learning the craft. At that time, he has started learning the craft of block making. He has also trained his younger brother Bharatbhai under block making. He also an assistant Amaratbhai Prajapati working in his workshop. He is able to do all kind of work in block making.

• 1995: Prakashbhai has started learning the craft of block making at the age of 18 years from Govindbhai Prajapati

• 1999: It took four years of learning the craft and continued working at Govindkaka’s workshop

• 2010: Started his own workshop in his own house

• 2015: He renovated the house and workshop

2015 till date: He has made good progress with hard work and his brother joined him

Bharatbhai is a brother of Prakashbhai. He learned this craft from Prakashbhai. He started learning this craft at the age of 35 as he lost the job.

• It took two years to him for learning this craft.  He has started practicing the craft at 37 years of age.

• His role at workshop is preparatory process, carving filling blocks, background block and tracing of design.  

Amaratbhai has learned the craft from Dahyabhai Prajapati. He worked t en years at Dahyabhai’s workshop. Then he started doing job work. He used to work at different workshops according to the requirement. His job at the workshop was the finishing of wood pieces and carving of filling block. Since 2014 he works at Prakashbhai’s Workshop.