The potters, though now in the thick of their trade of making earthen lamps for the upcoming Diwali, are an unhappy lot. They say the rising expenses involving the ingredients like the clay are landing them in problems. Potters from the Idgah Kumhar Mandi in Dehradun wondered whether they would continue with their trade in the coming days, given the seriousness of the problems they have been facing.
Though distressed, they are expectantly looking forward to Diwali, hoping that the good sale volume of the earthen lamps, deemed the quintessence of Diwali illumination, would make things better for them.
Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Kumhar Mandi, who is a professional potter , said the spiraling rate of clay, the principal ingredient, is making things difficult for them. “Earlier , cheap clay was available in the city. But now, we are getting it from near Shimla bypass at a much higher price. Whereas last year we got clay for Rs 3000 per trolley now it has gone up to Rs 5000 per trolley. We are in deep crisis,” he added.
Recounting their plight, he said the trade is proving hardly profitable. “Half of the season, we make clay jugs and now we are engaged in making earthen lamps. After winter sets in we would be nearly idle as there would not be much demand of clay products,” he said, adding that it is proving difficult for them to make both ends meet. “It is difficult even to manage school fees of my kids,” Prakash rued.
Another potter said they had shut down the business in despair. “With the cost of clay soaring fast, the cost of our product substantially jumped. This resulted in dwindling of buyers. Besides, clay items have ceased to attract the people,” he said.
“Earlier, there were hundreds of potters in the city, but most of them left and branched out to other trades. Those left in this profession are struggling hard to survive,” he added.
“Right now, around 60 families based in Kumhar Mandi , are still into the trade. But they are all in grave crisis,” said Radha, wife of a potter.