Despite the boycott of Chinese products and after much hue and cry at the political facade to promote indigenous products Statewide, the earthen lights and other traditional items crave for revival even now as it hardly has any takers.
Though few groups are leaving no stone unturned to boycott Chinese goods but in reality the demand for traditional diyas or earthen lights has come to a complete standstill and is losing its significance in the presence of glittering colourful vivid Chinese electronic minuscule items.
However, with a hope to completely revitalise the true essence of ‘festival of lights’ one fine day, several artisans engaged in making earthen lights since decades have not lost their hopes. Few potters narrated their ordeal and said that until and unless Government provide some alternative platforms to small artisans or cottage industries, it is difficult to restore the ‘dying’ culture in the giant market where designers Chinese goods have a strong grip and a hefty business share.
Witnessing the change in purchasing power among the people, a potter, Sanjay Prajapati who along with his family members is engaged in making earthen lights since 1965 with a bleak voice added, “The sale of traditional diyas has considerably gone down. 15 years back, we use to sale 100 to 150 earthen lights to an individual. Now, less than 50 diyas are purchased by an individual at a time. As far as boycotting Chinese items are considered, it hardly impacts our business as people are always inclined more towards the foreign goods.”
The investment involved in making earthen lights, terracotta toys is considerably high and require favourable weather condition including availability of good amount of clay during the festive season. “Diwali is our peak season for selling Diyas. We invest approximately Rs 45,000 in preparing traditional stuffs. Mud and sand costs Rs 2500 per tractors, as it is brought from Mandar, Bundu and other adjoining areas which are approximately 40 – 50 km away from Ranchi. Coal too is also very expensive. It is unfortunate that we do not get the appropriate return of the product and reward of our hard work.”
Considering auspicious for the occasion of Diwali, though earthen lights are being sold out at different places but for those potters involved in the business since ages, pottery business is no longer a profitable trade now as it hardly gives any return to the artisans in spite of giving blood and sweat to the business.
Another potter of Purani Ranchi, requesting anonymity, added, “Durability, versatility, nominal price, varieties with various options and easy to handle are few prime reasons for Chinese items popularity among the festive enthusiasts. Unfortunately, there are only few eco-friendly people who are eager to illuminate their homes in a traditional way on the occasion of Diwali. Hence we do not earn much profit even in the peak season.”
Nevertheless, businessmen here in the State Capital too feel that the complete boycott of Chinese products is neither possible nor feasible. “As a trader, I cannot support any boycott of Chinese products neither I will encourage it. However, as a consumer, I will prefer and promote traditional artifacts and earthen diyas at a personnel frontage,” said FJCCI president, Vinay Agarwal.