Pottery Community Busy Ahead of Festivals

Janakpurdham. On the eve of Diwali and Chhath, Kumals in Khajuri, Janaknandani Rural Municipality-4, are busy making diyas, kalash, ghaito, hadi, dhupauro, haati, kosia, kurwar, and matka. They are busy with clay and the potter's wheel from early morning until late evening. Some hands are busy kneading clay, while others are shaping lumps of clay by spinning the wheel. With the festive spirit, people are also starting to see clay materials being made in the courtyards of the Kumhal community in that settlement. They are currently focused on production with the hope that the business of clay materials, which is slow throughout the year, will increase somewhat during Diwali and Chhath. “Business is slow throughout the year, it only sells during festivals,” said Pritam Pandit of Khajuri. “That’s why we are busy making palas now.” For them, this time is not just preparation for the festivals, but also an opportunity to earn some income from their year-round dormant profession. “This is connected to our sweat and hard work, the livelihood of our family, and the continuation of our ancestral profession,” said local Sundar Pandit. “For us, clay is not just raw material, it is the basis of skill, culture, and identity passed down for generations.” “I have been making clay pots right after Dashain ends,” said Ayodhi Pandit. “Now that we are earning a good income by selling clay pots, we have put aside other work and are focusing on this.” He said that by selling clay pots from Dashain to Chhath, after deducting all expenses, the income can be up to Rs 1 lakh. Ramnarayan Pandit, a leader of the Kumal community, said that although the demand for clay materials increases during festivals, it is not easy to support the family's expenses from this profession throughout the year. As plastic, steel, aluminum, and other modern materials expand their market share, the use of traditional clay utensils is declining. He said that this adds to the challenge for the Kumal community, who have spent their lives with clay, to preserve their profession and attract the new generation to it. “At one time, it was customary to use clay utensils in every home; ghaito for storing water, hadi for cooking, kalash for puja, and diyas for lighting up the courtyard during Diwali were almost mandatory,” said Ramnarayan. “But now, modern materials are gradually taking their place. The decreasing use of clay materials even during festivals is starting to affect the income of families dependent on traditional professions.” The Kumal community says that as the shine of plastic materials increases in the market, the support of the state, local government, and consumers is necessary to prevent the light of the traditional profession connected with clay from being extinguished.