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The two first named are the best artists in Berhampur.

Two things are now necessary for the resuscitation of the art. More extensive patronage on the part of the people and improvement both in the methods and ideals of the art. In fact the first is dependent on the fulfilment of the second. The ivory carver has at present certain stock models which are reproduced time after time with dull monotony. He must come out of the fixed grooves and give freer scope to imagination and artistic feelings. He must learn to draw inspiration from the great book of Nature. The Murshidabad carver is an adept in the art of carving any figure or design even from so unsatisfactory a model as a photograph. It would not then be too much to hope that he could easily effect an improvement in his taste and design if suitable European or Japanese specimens were made available to him. Then again he must learn the use of modern implements which have the double advantage of at once improving the quality and finish as well as cheapening the products. This in its turn will widen the market and give the desired impetus to the art.

The following is a list of the ivory-articles usually made in Murshidabad with their prices.

It is understood, of course, that the price varies according to the size of the pieces and also according to the quality of the work.

This article has been compiled from "A Monograph on Ivory carving in Bengal" by G. C. Datta, B. A., Assistant to the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Bengal (1901). The illustrations are also from the same work.

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ACE to face with Mahendra, all Asha's troubled fancies cleared away like a fleeting mist. She could hardly look him in the eye for shame at what she had written.

"How could you charge me with such awful things?" said Mahendra reproachfully, as he brought out the three letters from his pocket.

Asha was greatly distressed. "For heaven's sake, tear them up," she implored,