Sitting amidst intricately carved Ganeshas made of clay on Tuesday, 60-year-old M. Chinaraju, a fourth generation potter, gets emotional and nostalgic while watching an artist add finishing touches to a mid-sized handmade idol. He fears that the handmade clay idol industry is in its last legs.
About 40 families, whose livelihood depends on pottery, settled in the city in 1926. The British gave them houses and named the colony Pottery Town.
But now, with many of the children choosing better paying professions, it is increasingly likely that the city may have to look elsewhere to buy handmade Ganeshas. With a slight sense of remorse, Chinaraju says, “It is a dying art. I am the last generation of potters.”
However, a few minutes later, he says, “Maybe, they are better off pursuing other careers. This profession involves a lot of hard work.”
In fact, the few continuing to make the idols are struggling to source clay. “About a decade ago, we paid Rs. 200 to Rs. 250 for a tractor of clay. Now, it costs Rs. 2,500. There is a scarcity as lakes in the city have dried up,” says S. Nanjundappa, office-bearer of the Kumbara Karakushala Kaigarika Sahakara Sangha.
However, a few, like 46-year-old G. Rajashekhar, are reinventing their skills to meet changing needs. While he inherited basic skills from his family, Mr. Rajashekar also obtained a diploma from the Central Village Pottery Institute, Khanapur. “The training helped me keep in tune with the latest trends, designs and marketing strategies that have helped me innovate,” he says.
Meanwhile, residents of Pottery Town are also worried about the threat of eviction, as the lease for the land where their workshops are located expired in 2004. Despite repeated requests, the BBMP has not extended the lease.
Eco-friendly idolsWith eco-friendly Ganeshas being popularised to replace fancy and colourful ones made of Plaster of Paris, artisans at Pottery Town are hoping for better days. Nirmala N., an artisan, said that the 40 vendors are hoping to sell at least 100 idols this year. “People are now more environment conscious. Many are turning to eco-friendly Ganeshas.”
