Lohar earns Rs. 80,000 a month by crafting traditional iron tools

By Thakur Prasad Acharya,Myagdi (Beni), Mar. 14: At a scenic spot along the Beni-Galeshwar road in the Kaligandaki corridor, Tuk Bahadur Lohar is busy working leaning towards his anvil. Nearby, in a temporary hut, beautifully crafted agricultural tools made by Lohar catch the glimpse of the passersby.

Lohar, who demonstrates iron tools, has been running the business for the last six years after he came to Myagdi. He has come to Beni from Butwal in search of a market to sustain the continuous supply of traditional knives crafted by his grandfather.

Lohar has also earned a good income from his occupation. After spending 10 years in India for employment, he returned home and continued his traditional occupation.

“It is a skill my father taught me when I was young,” he said. My father used to say, “Son, after learning skills, you will never go hungry. His words have become a guiding principle in my life. So far, I have not faced any financial difficulties,” he added.

The skills he learned as a child under the guidance of his father have become a source of lucrative income in Lohar’s life. He prepares agricultural tools such as sickles, axes, khukuris, swords, shovels, cooking stands and many other items that are used in a family every day. He has tools with their prices ranging from Rs. 800 to Rs. 9,000.

After spending four to five years coaching football, he returned to Syangja and continued in the same occupation for an additional two years. He then moved to Khasi Bazaar in Pokhara, where he worked for 10 years. Following this, he relocated to Galeshwar in Myagdi, where he has been running an iron tool business for the past six years. He is married and has two sons and a daughter.

He manages to cover all his expenses through his occupation. He informed that after deducting monthly expenses, he earns between Rs. 60,000 and Rs. 80,000. He has been continuously involved in the iron tool business since 1999.

He narrated, “My grandfather was also a blacksmith by profession. My father learned from him, and I learned from my father. The skills passed down from my father have now become my means of livelihood.”

He added, “Vehicles passing by this road often halt when they catch sight of the beautifully crafted iron tools. Passengers get off to purchase them.” He continued, "Even foreign tourists visiting Myagdi and Mustang are attracted to our craftsmanship and often buy various tools from here.”

“The items crafted with my dedication have reached foreign countries like the UK and Australia,” Lohar said. He expressed, “I find greater happiness in pursuing my own craft than working for others.” Reflecting on his experience, he said, “No matter how much money one earns working abroad, true satisfaction eludes them. Now, I find fulfillment in the traditional occupation.”

He has made a temporary hut paying a monthly rent of Rs. 2500 to Beni Municipality to beautifully display the tools he prepares. Lohar currently resides in Devdaha Municipality-3 of Rupandehi district, but he is originally from Syangja. Recalling his childhood, he mentioned, “I moved to Butwal with my father at a young age and then returned to Syangja, where I initially began working in the iron tool business for some time.”

“The family situation was tough. I could not even read simple letters. I supported my family with the skills my father taught me when I was young,” he expressed. 

Emphasising the importance of support, he added, “The iron tool business also deserves support and assistance from the government at all levels.”