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Diyas fail to light up potters’ lives
Diwali seems failing to bring light in the lives of potter families who are eking their livelihood by making earthen diyas. As the festival of
Vijayawada: Diwali seems failing to bring light in the lives of potter families who are eking their livelihood by making earthen diyas. As the festival of light is round the corner, the families are busy making diyas to earn a few bucks during the festive season.
About 1,000 families are engaged in making of diyas and are living at Payakapuram, Nunna, Kothuru Tadepalli, P Nynavaram, Velagaleru and Prasadampadu.
Diyas made in these villages have great demand in Andhra Pradesg and Telangana. Diyas are made with red soil, which is available nearby villages of Nunna, P Nynavaram, Kothuru Tadepalli and Velagaleru. The potter families are on the verge of displacement after the onslaught of plastic into the households replacing almost every article. They hardly find employment round the year barring a few days ahead of Diwali.
“Making of diyas is a lengthy process. We have to mix the clay with sand and ash, give a shape and dry up under sun. At least four members are required to make diyas. We divide work within our families,” said a potter.
He said the potters would get into diyas making at least 45 days ahead of Diwali season. As the very name suggests, Diwali will not pass without earthen diyas giving light at the entrance of households.
Diyas made in villages nearby Vijayawada are transported to various districts not only in Andhra Pradesh but also in Telangana. Buyers in Warangal, Hyderabad and other parts of Andhra Pradesh make a beeline to these villages during the season. “In fact, the festival hardly brings joy into our houses. If we work for 45 days, each of our family income for the whole period will not cross Rs 20,000,” said Sunkara Siva of Nunna.
The price of diyas is very low as low as Rs 2 each. Siva said 1,000 pieces cost only Rs 500 in the local market. Wholesalers buy them from the artisans at cheaper rates to make a fast buck in the Andhra and Telangana States.
Kummara Salivahana Sangham Krishna district president Bommina Srinivasa Rao said that potters are facing several problems. Most of the potters face hardships to burn pots in kiln for want of place and firewood, he said.
He demanded that government should allot five acre land for making diyas in the village and help them continue with their age-old profession. He appealed to the government to sanction bank loans so that they can buy machines and tools to improvise their handicraft in keeping with the changing times.
Dasari Srinivasa Rao
