Is demand dimming for traditional diyas?

Hyderabad: Metal holders, tea lights and lamps are relegating traditional diyas to the corner. In spite of the low price of clay diyas, people are preferring electric lights. Chinese lights come for Rs 300 to Rs 500 whereas desi diyas cost just Rs 50.

Sonia who sells diyas at Safilguda X Road says, "Every year for Diwali we make 2,000 diyas out of which only 500 are sold. Even after having cheap price customers still bargain so much that we hardly make any profit. We don't get a profit of even Rs 10 per dozen diyas."

Sonia says it's her third generation in making these earthen pots and diyas. Now only a handful of families are engaged in the profession. The demand for traditional diyas has dropped over the last few years.

Back in the day, one could see hundreds of pot makers having their hands full during the Diwali season. However, the increase in the cost of raw materials also affects the production and sale of the diyas.

Naresh, another seller says in Malkajgiri, says, "The recent incessant rains are also a reason for the dull sale of the diyas and pots. People nowadays buy everything online on Amazon and other shopping sites which have made them adamant over market shopping." It can also, be the reason why people are not buying it and opting for electric lights available online.