For generations, Indian homes have been lit up by diyas — traditional earthen lamps — during Diwali. Potters now complain that customers are turning to cheaper Chinese electrical lighting or pricier products in shopping malls, jeopardising their livelihood.
The diya business has now sharply declined. "There is a huge fall in the sale of diyas. In what is supposed to be the festival of lights, our life has entered a dark phase," Harkishan, the head of Kumhar Gram, Delhi's largest colony for potters, told IANS.
"Diwali has lost its traditional charm as Chinese products have taken over Indian markets. People are more interested in decorating their homes with Chinese lights or jelly candles rather than traditional diyas," he said.
Harkishan, 60, who won the National Award for Terracotta art in 1990, is not the only one despairing.
"Every year there is at least a 30% fall in sales. Chinese products are choking our business," he said, adding that today's youngsters may simply turn their back on diyas and other earthen products.
Another potter, 30-year-old Krishna, who learnt the craft from her family elders, said: "Earlier, we did not even get time to rest during Diwali. But now we do not sell even half the products we make. Diwali is no more a busy time. Now people head to malls and supermarkets. They are no more interested in buying earthen lamps and other things from potters. Worse, they don't mind spending more on other products. We get hardly a customer or two now. How can we survive?"
Others in the potters' hub said prepared products — including diyas — often go unsold. This never used to happen until about five years ago.
There was a time when Indian families went only for simple earthen lamps. Now the demand is mainly for decorated and fancy lamps. No wonder many potters are slowly moving away from their traditional business in search of greener pastures.
"Only years ago, our shops used to be crowded during Diwali. Now we wait and wait for buyers," complained a woman selling clay products in Malviya Nagar in south Delhi for the past 30 years.
Different types of clay are used to prepare diyas. Much of it comes from Haryana, said Harkishan, adding that even the quality of clay now is not as good as it used to be.
Potters are angry that successive governments have not done much to protect the traditional business of pottery.
"Earlier, clay used to prepare diyas was easily available in Delhi itself. Now we have to bring it from states such as Haryana and Rajasthan. We face several problems while transporting the clay. Shouldn't the government take care of such simple issues?" said another potter.
