Customers do not give credit to labor, creativity, potters

Anthropomorphic and animal terracotta figurines represent the Harappan site, now located in Pakistan’s Punjab. The Punjabi potter feels that the art of making objects with earth does not command deserved respect, which limits their income.

Sandeep Kumar, a young potter, said customers who cited their creations as just an item made from simple earth argue that only a limited price should be charged. They don’t appreciate their labor and creativity that went into creating these works of art, he said.

While customers cite our creations as just an item made from simple earth, they argue that we should only charge a limited price. They do not appreciate our labor and creativity that went into creating these works of art. Sandeep Kumar, a potter

He said: ‘Before a terracotta object is made, a series of laborious processes are required, including physical hard work and patience. After drying the earth, it is pounded to turn it into a powder form. It is then mixed with water. When the mixture takes on a dense liquid form, it is sieved to ensure that no excessively large particles remain. The obtained soil is then kneaded and rolled into rolls. Before it is given a final shape, it is dried in the sun and kept in a hearth for three to four days. Ultimately, these terracotta figurines and lamps are painted with beautiful colors.”

In today’s digital age, where young people have a multitude of entertainment options at their disposal, it is the enthusiasm of both residents and potters that has kept this age-old tradition alive.

Idols of gods Lakshmi, Ganesh and others are brought from Agra and Lucknow. As Diwali approaches, local artisans prefer to make large earthen lamps, hathari, elephants, horses, pari and kandola (a jar in which parshad is kept).

Trader and potter Janak Raj, who sells terracotta items at a shop in Khidoneyan Wala Bazaar, located in the narrow maze of the walled city, says: “Sales of terracotta items increase around festivals as students buy toys. Customers are willing to pay more for terracotta items, provided they are of good quality and look nice.”

He said, “A piece of ‘diya’ (earthen lamp) is sold between Re 1 and Rs 10 depending on their quality, a piece of hathari between Rs 30 and Rs 40, a piece of kandola and chandol from Rs 100 to Rs 150.”

He said rates on these items have increased by at least 10 percent compared to last year. Similar was the increase in prices of raw materials, including color and soil, he added.