Preserving tradition: Story of handcrafted diyas in B'luru amid changing times

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: As the vibrant colours of Diwali light up the city, the humble diya, an earthen oil lamp, remains at the heart of this festival of lights in India.

In Pottery Town of Bengaluru, a community of skilled artisans meticulously crafts these traditional diyas, each one showing the hard work and labour that goes into making one.

Art through generations

For centuries, the art of diya making has been passed down through generations for these artisans in Bengaluru.

Ramya, a finance graduate who comes from over 5 generations of pottery artisans said, “This is our ancestral business and everything here involves a lot of labour. Her family, like several other artists in the area, create wonderful structures in a mere 10 ft by 10 ft space.

She shared, “From kneading the clay into smooth, pliable forms to meticulously shaping and decorating each lamp, the artisans breathe life into these symbols of tradition.”

In the low-lying floodprone lanes of Pottery Town flows creativity and craftsmanship with customers bargaining for their favourite art prince. Each diya and sculpture, with its intricate designs and vibrant colours, tells a story of artistry and devotion.

The artisans take pride in their work, their hands bearing the marks of years of experience and a deep connection to their craft. Another artisan said, “Although the art form is traditional, we try to incorporate modern designs to meet the eyes and needs of the youngsters these days. While 10 years ago, all one could buy was a plain mud lamp, now we design colourful lamps, and other designs within the lamps as well.”

Challenges & Obstacles

However, the changing times, especially post covid have been a major challenge for these artists. While Ramya agrees that they have had a wonderful, especially around Diwali pre covid, post that the world has shifted online.

This has posed a threat to these artists as most customers now prefer to shop online and choose to purchase battery-operated LED lamps in the place of traditional mud diyas.

The advent of online stores and battery-operated diyas has posed a significant challenge to the pottery community.

The convenience and affordability of these modern alternatives have lured consumers away from the handcrafted diyas, threatening the very existence of this age-old practice. Despite these challenges, a flicker of hope remains.

A growing number of individuals are recognising the importance of preserving traditional crafts and supporting local artisans. They appreciate the authenticity, the artistry, and the cultural significance of handmade diyas.

While the sales have been down for the past couple of years, Ramya and other artists in the area strongly feel that this year would be their year. They said, “Wherever people might go, the feel of using a traditional diya with oil and a cotton wick will always remain a practice for the next 100 years and until then artists like us will never have to worry.”

Traditional, eco-friendly

Mud diyas, crafted from natural clay, are ecofriendly and biodegradable, contrasting with plastic or metal alternatives that persist for centuries.

When ignited, clay diyas absorb smoke, curbing air pollution, and emitting less harmful soot. A cherished tradition in India for centuries, mud diyas symbolise light and hope, adorning homes and temples.