Potter community of Kumbhar Wada gears up to meet festive season demand
Potter community of Kumbhar Wada gears up to meet festive season demand
Mythology says that 'God clayed humans on the wheel'. However, the potter community of Kumbhar Wada is now busy claying gods. For more than four generations they have been making clay products successfully and keeping the traditional art alive.
Kumbhar Wada is a society, where different varieties of clay products are available such as peacock toys, diyas, clay soldiers, Shivaji idols; even an entire fort of Shivaji.
Nowadays, plaster of paris is used to make idol as it saves time. "Until last decade, we were using lal matti from the nearby village for idol-making but now plaster of paris has taken over the market," said Jayesh Raghunath Darekar.
The red-soiled idols were soaked in water for a whole day. An advantage in this traditional method was that if broken, the item could be joined with little alterations.
During Diwali, the workload increases tremendously for the Kumbhars. "Because of the workload, we raise the cost also," said Chandrakant Darekar. "We do all the process ourselves, including painting."
Firstly, a design is drawn on the paper and then cast in mould. For painting purpose varnish is used. It gives lustre to the idol, making it aesthetically appealing and slightly waterproof. Unlike past generations, these artistic works are marketed properly.
The focus is on making idols of Lakshmi and Ganesh, stylish diyas, play houses and small earthen pots. The potters get huge tips during Diwali. One of the kumbhar said their daily profit was roughly around Rs 1.5 lakh.
Most of the earthern pots are made in Kumbhar Wada, so it attracts many tourists. "Foreigners find these amusing and purchase them in bulk," said a salesman. "Our product goes all over the city from here," he said.
Most potters are in this profession for the past five generations and wish to continue. "We send all our children to study. We expect them to lend their hands in our business, though this will never be a compulsion," an old potter said.
All the workers are highly qualified and creative. "There is tough competition. So, we try our best to be different. Customers like work embellished with designs," one of the artists said.
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