Diwali has been also known to be the festival of Diyas (earthen pots). However, with the onslaught of cheap and fancy Chinese lights has triggered an exodus of traditional earthen pot makers from the business.
Head of one such family of earthen pot makers - Besnava Rana (57) recalls how his past generations were able to sustain themselves by just making Diyas throughout the year. But now, having effectively gone out of business, Besnava and his family of three sons have turned daily laborers.
"But before every Diwali, we all leave our respective jobs and take upon ourselves the business of making Diyas just to keep the tradition alive in the family and impart this skill to our next generation," Rana said.
Earthen lamps have become larger in size and colours have become brighter,” said Shanti Rana, another potter. He added that though most people illuminate their homes with electric lights, many of them also use earthen lamps inside their residences.
One such organization called Marwari Mahila Manch is going door to door to promote locally made products and request housewives to boycott Chinese products. However, shopkeepers, like Basant Singh, remain sceptical.
Brajrajnagar based shopkeeper Singh says, "All campaigns to curb usage of Chinese products have been largely ineffective. Season after season, we have seen customers increasingly opt for fancy Chinese lights over locally made Diyas. Diyas have relegated to being a festive formality and the Chinese lights have taken over."
Social activist Anant Panda alleged that the traditional art of making clay materials and other products was facing a threat of vanishing from the district due to the apathy of the State Government.