Demand for ‘diyas’ brightens potters’ life

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, October 28

Rise in demand of earthen lamps (diyas) has brought cheers to the potters of the Prajapati community, who otherwise have to struggle to make ends meet.

Large consignments of earthen lamps are supplied to Surat, Mumbai, Jaipur, Pune and Delhi from Jhajjar during the festive season. The lamps are prepared by over 125 Prajapati families residing in various villages of Jhajjar and Rohtak districts.

Inderpal Kohal, a potter, said, “Diwali has boosted our confidence as the demand of earthen lamps has shot up by nearly 50 per cent. It seems our diyas have replaced Chinese lights and candles for the first time.”

He claims to have supplied 15 lakh diyas to other states so far compared to 10 lakh last year. Two lakh diyas have been supplied to Punjab for the first time, he said.

Krishan Kumar, another potter in Chhawni Mohalla, claimed as many as seven extra trucks, each carrying 6 lakh diyas, were supplied to various states during this season. “I sent 15 trucks loaded with diyas to Mumbai and Gujarat last season but the demand of earthen lamp is much higher this time. In all, 22 truckloads were supplied to other states,” he claimed.

Kohal, a recipient of national award for excellence in pottery art, claimed the rise in demand was due the boycott of Chinese goods this time.

“The potters have heaved a sigh of relief because it had become difficult to earn livelihood through this traditional art,” Kohal said.