The Potters Diwali Sale

Insync

-Staff

By Staff

Monday, October 20, 2008, 18:21

Diwali is here and along comes the more than one reasons for people to rejoice. The festival allows people of various profession a chance to earn during the festival of lights.

Diwali, which falls in October-November, has its origins in the mythological celebrations in Ayodhya marking the return of Hindu God Rama to his kingdom after defeating the demon king Ravana. Legend says millions of lamps were lit when Lord Rama returned after 14 years of exile in forest and his fight against Ravana. Diwali is also celebrated in honour of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Potters in Bihar"s Patna are gearing up for Diwali, the festival of light, as the festive season increases their sale of traditional earthen lamps. Small time potters earn between four thousand to five thousand rupees during the festive season and they wait eagerly for this time of the year.

"We earn around Rs. 4000-5000 during Diwali . But of late plastic glasses, electric bulbs and candles have affected our business adversely. The government does not pay attention to our plight," said Ganauri Pandit, another potter.

"We wait eagerly for this time of the year so that we can make earthen lamps and pots, and make some money during the festival time," said Vedi Pandit, a potter. Although potters hope to earn money during the festive season, they also lament that the traditional earthen lamps have nowadays been replaced with wax candles and gel candles.

Hopefully the festival brings to 'light' the plight of the traditional craft of pottery.