While the Diwali banquet is all set to crack the corridor, the festive flame has almost gone off for the Kumbharwas in Chandlodiya.
The candle nursery dons a dusk as the traditional diya-makers struggle hard to make their ends meet. However, this is the only time of the year when one can see the spark in their eyes and their muddy arms spin the clay 24x7. Now, one has to find their way through their courtyard which is filled with the new-stock.
Fifty-year-old Pradeepbhai Prajapati, who has been in this craft for decades, has to make thousands of diyas this Diwali alone.
"While I make Diyas, my 80-year-old mother paints them. That is the only support that I get. Since the craft does not pay much, my brother drives a tempo rickshaw and has not involved himself. I'm here only to continue the tradition and I feel some connection with my forefathers when I make diyas."
Pradeepbhai gets Rs 400 for 1,000 for the diyas. "This does not suffice his hard work as the price of a tractor load of sand for diyas has increased massively," he says.
While the preferential shift from diyas to candles has picked a pace, for more convenience that the latter offers the diya-makers have been living under constant threat. The threat looms over to the extent that despite increase in prices of raw materials, the artisans are charging as per old rates. Most of them are third or fourth-generation potters.
Across Pradeepbhai's house, there are two houses with a common wall, where 68-year-old Manubhai Prajapati's family of 13 people live. "I make 500 diyas every day now due to my failing health."
The artisan was having evening snacks when DNA reached his house. "There is so much work. Under any circumstance, we do not want to lose out on orders. This is the only season when we earn. There is no time to eat a complete meal nor anyone has time to cook these days. So, we live only on some snacks all these days", he said.
Both my sons, daughters-in-law and their children are into diya making. Since diyas are not sold throughout the year, my sons also trying new designs to get the business running throughout the year. However, the prices of buying sand is pinching us, we will not leave making diyas," he said.
Amrita Baheti, a home-maker, prefers diyas to candles. "Diyas look traditional and are not very expensive. Buying diyas also helps local labourers. More so, I love the aroma of mud. Hence, diyas give a feeling of a rich tradition."
However, for Saheli Joshi, who prefers candles to diyas, "Diyas need to be soaked in water and, on the day Diwali day, we need to keep filling it with oil. That way the candles are convenient. The sale of electric diyas has also gone up these days."
