Traditional potters are losing out, even on festive occasions

Traditional potters are losing out, even on festive occasions

MUNISH DHIMAN  17th Nov 2012

75-year old Zakhir Hussain vividly recalls the time when his father and him used to make earthen lamps and pots throughout the year, increasing production during the festive and summer seasons. A nostalgic Hussain says, "My father and forefathers would spin the wheel and would teach me to make pots out. Today, my kids are not at all interested in the business but just continuing the legacy. I've seen time changing and have learnt that people are gradually getting attracted towards designer stuff as everyone needs something that is ethnic yet stylish."   Due to time constraints, lack of manpower, and increased production at the same time, potters now have started using electronic spinning wheels instead of the manually operated ones used traditionally. Hussain adds, "We would spin the wheel the whole day to create flower pots, handis, and diyas. We stared using mechanised wheels a decade back as they are efficient and we can do more work with less fatigue." But demand and subsequently production has trickled down over the last few years. Hussain says "Where we used to produce about 1-1.5 lakh diyas on Diwali, we only make about 50, 000 now which I believe is because of various options available in the market." 62-year-old Guddi echoes the same view, "The demand for simple diyas is decreasing annually. The production of simple diyas four five years back was around 90,000-1 lakh during Diwali, whereas we are producing only 60-70, 000 diyas now. Dealers are purchasing fancy diyas from manufacturers in other states." These circumstances have necessitated a change in approach. She says "Most of the potters now have started using plastic or steel moulds for creating designer earthen lamps. This has increased labour hours but is a ray of hope for us to control the falling sales." Forced by decreasing sales, Raju opted out of his 40-year-old family business and opened a fruit shop two years ago. He shares a different view, "We started making glittering colourful diyas using moulds to attract customers. After putting in a lot of effort, what could have been worse than people still opting for machine made products? But what can one do? After all, the machine made ones are far better than the handmade fare. With loss in business and increasing credit, I finally had to venture into a new business." On the changing trends, Japneet, an artist and trainer, who owns 'Red Mug' ceramic and glass studio in Chandigarh, says, "For the consumer as well as for the designer, the range and availability which we find in our surroundings, pushes us towards a desire to explore new ideas. The trend is rapidly changing because of the eagerness towards new styles, colours, forms, and materials. The change in market availability is directly dependable on niche consumer demands." http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/traditional-potters-are-losing-out-even-on-festive-occasions