Jaipur: As the festival of Diwali draws near, potters have started spinning their wheels faster, engaging in the craft of shaping clay into earthen lamps. Right after the festival of Dussehra concludes, potters begin making clay lamps. However, this year, continuous rains have severely affected the potter community. Due to the fear of the lamps remaining wet in the rainy season, fewer earthen lamps have been produced this time.
As a result, their availability in the market has decreased. It is said that the tradition of making earthen lamps and utensils from clay has been followed in the potter community for generations. Earlier, potters would spin the wheel manually with their hands to make these items. But in this modern era, the community has now turned to electric tools. Now, with the help of a motor, they spin the wheel and shape the clay into pots and lamps.
Earthen Lamps Now Bought Just as a Tradition
Deepak Prajapat shared that the art of making earthen pots and lamps is quite ancient in the potter community and has been passed down as a legacy. In the past, customers used to buy over 100 lamps and light them throughout the neighborhood and in temples as a tradition. But with changing times, people now buy only 11 or 21 lamps for traditional purposes.
Gujarati and Chinese Lamps Have Replaced Them
It is being said that although the tradition of making clay lamps for Diwali still continues, in recent years, Chinese and Gujarati lamps have taken over the market. Still, the importance of lighting earthen lamps has not diminished. It is also noted that making these lamps requires a lot of hard work but yields very little income. Yet, to preserve the old tradition, these lamps are still being made.
How Clay Lamps Are Made
Gyarsi Lal Prajapat explained that shaping the clay lamps is a difficult task. First, the fine clay needs to be refined thoroughly. Then, stones and pebbles are removed from it. After that, the clay is placed on the wheel and spun to shape the lamp. Then, the lamp is dried, baked in a kiln to harden it, and finally painted.
One Rupee Per Lamp
It is reported that small lamps are sold for one rupee each, while larger lamps and clay water pitchers are priced around five rupees. But despite the hard work involved, the potters do not get fair prices in the market. This is why the younger generation is hesitant to take up this craft. Earlier, clay pots fetched good prices in the market, but after the arrival of plastic products, the demand for clay items has declined.
(By Dinesh Saini)
