Sandeep Dwivedy
Post News Network
Cuttack, Feb 16: The 20-odd families of Bidanasi are a happy lot. They have made brisk business by selling diyas (earthen lamps) which are used during Mahashivaratri.
According to Gajendra Behera, ‘‘We have been doing this work for generations as it is our only means of livelihood. By grace, we got huge orders for Shivratri. Diwali and Mahashivaratri are the two major festivals when we make money”.
Gajendra is a potter and has been in the profession for more than three decades. Another potter, Manas Behera said every year, he and other potters like him collect clay and sand which are essential for making lamps. “First, we make raw diyas and then burn it in the oven to get the perfect shape and size and then colour it as per the order,” he said.
Manas added that women in the families also help complete the indented order on time. “This year we received orders from several Shiva temples of the city to make some big diyas that can hold up to 50 litres of oil or ghee. During Mahashivaratri and Diwali, we earn Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000,” he said.
However, as it happens with traditional professions, many artisans, especially the younger generations are leaving the profession in search of better options.
“Several people from our community have left the profession as it is no longer a profitable business. There are no incentives from the government for potters, so it is a dying art which may disintegrate in the next decade,’’ Manas deplored.
