‘Diya’, par kya mila?

Old City clay lamps are still embracing lives of potters, not because of thriving business but due to helplessness and lack of knowledge of other activities.

Diwali, the festival of lights means many things to many people. For children, the crackers and fireworks is ultimate pleasure. For others, mouth-watering sweets and the wide variety of food items on offer takes the top slot.

In this time and era where Chinese lights and electric diyas have replaced the traditional lighting arrangements, time-tested methods of celebrating this ultimate festival of Hindus is still alive, if not kicking.

Not surprisingly, the Old City of Hyderabad, where layers of conventional living styles often overlap the jet-setting types of the new generation, potters still make clay diyas and have continued living off its earnings for more than four decades now. Despite the glitz which the new types of illuminations offer at economic rates, the residents of the walled city still like to buy these lamps to usher in Goddess Laxmi during the auspicious season.

The potters’ market set in the by lane of the Lal Darwaza and Begum Bazaar Road will hopefully be a riot of colourful diyas in a few days but looks like inflation has taken the glitter out of the festival.

Commencing a month in advance during the festival season, the potters end up making thousands of them in a span of one month, churning out 300 to 400 diyas a day. Mostly the male members of the family spin the wheels, while the women make the dough from the soil.

One such family is Bhushanam where everyone is busy making mud lamps. “I am in this business for over 40 years. Though this work doesn’t fetch us much money, this is our identity now. And as this season of Diwali is the peak time, everyone in the family helps in whatever way they can”, said Bhushanam.

Potters have been grumbling about the replacement of their traditional terracotta ware with metal, plastic and even electric substitutes for Diwali. Though spread over different parts of the city, the potters share common problems like shortage of soil and increase in the price of raw materials.

“Since plain circular diyas are no longer in vogue, we are shifting our focus to designer ones”, said Ramesh.

For some it is just a means of earning, for a few it is an art form, while for the others it is a legacy from their ancestors as they say. I never felt like I will suspend the business, as I love what I am doing and would never leave it for anything, but at the same time, I would not ignore opportunities of growth that come my way for a better and brighter future of my family and children”, said Subhash Sharma.

There are so many factors that curb their growth despite the skill. These artists are far away from possessing basic knowledge of health and hygiene. Their children are not sent to good schools due to the financial difficulties. Still a combination of tradition and helplessness is what is making them stick around to the clay that sticks around their bodies.