Assam: Pottery artisans in Dibrugarh gear up for Diwali

DIBRUGARH: The pottery artisans in Dibrugarh are busy in making earthen lamps and pots for Diwali. Local diya-makers like Ratan Pandit, 29, fourth generation of his family to be associated with the business, have been busy making the earthen lamps ahead of Diwali.

Ratan Pandit, has been spinning the potter’s wheel and giving shape to the earthen lamps and pots. He works upto 11 pm daily to finish the orders in time. Most of the retail shops buy earthen lamps from them and sell in the market.

For last several years, Pandit family has been making earthen lamps and pots for the festival. While talking to this correspondent, Ratan Pandit said, “From my childhood, I am associated in the business and learned the art of making pottery from my father. Our business has improved from previous years. Most of our family members are associated with pottery business. Pottery making is our traditional business.”

“We are selling small earthen lamp at Re 1 and Rs 2 for big earthen lamps. We are getting a good response because people are coming at us to take diyas for Diwali and Chhath Puja. Some Chinese lights have hampered our business but people are coming to us because earthen lamps are the traditional items which will be lit during Diwali,” Pandit said.

He said, “We collect the clay from Thakurthan area of Dibrugarh. Now, due to rising price of the materials we are facing some problems but thanks to our well wishers, they come us and take diyas from us. This year we hope that our business will be better from the previous years.”

After completing his higher secondary education at DHSK College, Ratan Pandit entered his family business.

However, the local pottery industry is facing a crisis because Chinese artificial lights and diyas from Bangladesh have captured the market because of low prices.

Rajbanti Devi, Ratan’s mother has been busy in selling the diyas. “We have got a good response and people are coming to us to take diyas at home for the upcoming Diwali festival. We are facing a stiff challenge due to the low quality Chinese water lights.”

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