The dead provide life support to these children

KOLKATA: A common thread binds Subu, a resident of north Kolkata, Kelo of Duttapukur, Khurki of Ashokenagar and Nitai of Nabadweep. All of them, aged eight to 12 years, have not only started out early but are earning their livelihood through a not-oft-heard-of profession. They are all part-time “crematorium assistants” at a time when they should be in school.

Their assignments are varied and they are mainly employed by crematorium authorities to assist the relatives of the dead who opt for the traditional wood pyres instead of electric furnace.

Their work schedule involves assisting crematorium agents in arranging the logs on the pyre, helping the priests in executing the rituals and finally feeding the flames to keep the fire burning by poking wooden sticks into the pyre till the body is completely burnt. They also help the crematorium agents to recover the navels of the dead from the burnt logs and hand them over to the relatives, for subsequent rituals. According to Subu, the most difficult part of the job is to keep the flame ablaze. For that, they have to remain seated beside the pyre constantly for four to five hours.

“The extinction of the pyre before the body is fully burnt is considered inauspicious. If I fall asleep and the fire extinguishes prematurely, the agent will not give me my share as per the contract,” said Subu, who offers his services at the Nimtala crematorium in north Kolkata.

Kelo, who works in a crematorium at Dattapukur in north 24 Parganas, recounts an even more woeful tale. With no shades overhead, work here is tough indeed. “This makes my work even more difficult during the rainy season. In any case, the process of burning takes longer during the rains because of the wet wood,” Kelo told DNA.

However, for all their efforts, their daily income is a pittance. Khurki, from Ashokenagar crematorium in north 24 Parganas, says, on an average, his daily income ranges from Rs 15 to Rs 20. “Sometimes, the relatives of the dead tip us. On such occasions, we earn Rs 30-35.  The crematorium agents who hire us take a cut from our tips as well,” rues Khurki.

Kelo has hit upon another channel of income though. Some of the relatives, in accordance with Hindu rituals, drop coins into the Shuti river adjacent to the Dattapukur crematorium. “I am quite an expert in swimming and recover the coins from the river,” he says.