Earthenware makes a comeback

Vizianagaram: Clay pots, spoons and vessels, which have become a thing of the past, are now back in vogue. Health conscious people are preferring earthenware though they are habituated to stainless steel vessels, spoons and glasses.

Khaleel Babu was making clay pots, vases, plates, glasses, diner sets, coffee cups, tea glasses and water bottles and selling them at a good price. He proudly said that he has orders worth Rs 10 lakhs and Rs 15 lakhs. 

Even star hotels are purchasing these attractive eartheneware. He has been mixing the soil collected from Vizag, Vizianagaram and Rajahmahendravaram and later, the soil will be filtered and will be made into clay.  Later, they would be poured into moulds and household utensils would be charred in small furnaces. For this purpose, he has engaged 40 workers.

He has been paying Rs 3,000 per month and making attractive earthenware. He said that they are making hot packs in which food can remain hot for more time than the branded hot packs. 

Clay vessels absorb the oil from curries and other dishes and will give oil free food. This would be an additional advantage with these vessels. He said that he has bulk orders from resorts, hotels and from elite families.

Now, health conscious people feeling good to have food in earthenware. Ranjans and water bottles also have a huge demand during summer as the water remains cool in scorching summer. Decorative items like lamps and big size flower vases also being made here. 

Even they are preparing the gift packs containing of 52 pieces of earthenware in it.  “We have been imparting training to the people by paying stipend and teaching them  making of clay pots, glasses, plates, vessels. Now they became experts in the work.

They are earning around Rs 4,000 per month. This is the only firm in entire south India which is making clay pots, vessels for domestic use. We have a huge demand from our customers to supply them on time. We are very much happy to be artisans”, he said.

Khaleel Babu says that earthenware should be handled with care and they should be considered as glass articles and maintain them with utmost care.

They can be put on gas stoves and prepare pulkas, rotis, sweets, rice and many more dishes, he said. Earthenware are adequate to cook fish curry and to make curd, he suggested.