Rustic terracotta potters in Rajasthan yet to get their dues

Jaipur, Apr 2: Sporting the traditional attire of Rajasthan, including a red turban and earrings, 25-year-old Laxmilal Kumbhar might seem like any other rustic youth, but for the legacy of a craft he carries on his young shoulders.

A member of a family of seven from Molela village, that has been making terracotta tiles and idols for generations, Laxmilal, who was here to showcase his wares for the 10-day Rajasthan Day celebrations, however, is a disappointed man.

Referring to the days when the potters of Molela were feted by all for their special skills in turning out evocative portraits of Gods and Goddesses in clay, Laxmilal said, "my father used to say that earlier, the government took very good care of terracotta potters. Our work was respected and we were taken by the government all over India, to exhibit our work.

"However, today, besides the shoddy treatment we get for our craft, out of the 70 families who are in the business, only around 30 people get a chance to take their work outside Rajasthan," he lamented.

In a year, they take the intricately carved terracotta pieces to around 15-20 places all over India, including Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Daman and Diu, he said.

"Of all the places, the demand remains highest in Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra," he said. "From our village, one or two people even go abroad to teach the art to others," he added proudly.

Devilal, Laxmilal's 55-year-old maternal uncle, who is also in the same profession said, "we are making a meagre Rs 4000-4500 per month among 7-8 members, which means that each person makes an average of Rs 50-100."

Terracotta pottery also entails a lot of hard work. Asked what they did during the monsoons, when the mud turned to slush, he smiled and said "for 3-4 months we give our creative hands a rest and do farming to feed our families." Expressing displeasure at the government for not looking into their problems, Devilal said, "the government should look into the matter of illegal acquisition of land. How are we expected to carry on like this? We have sacrificed so much to keep the craft alive through so many generations. How can we let it die so easily?" When the young Laxmilal was asked that if given a chance, would he leave the family business for a more lucrative job, he said, "My father has worked all his life making terracotta idols of our Gods and Goddesses. I want to take forward this legacy no matter what the circumstances. Even if we are away for 6-7 months taking this work all over India, I will always want to come back home to my village, and to my craft."

UNI