Diwali demand boosts clay lamp business for Kurigram potters, but profits shrink

With Diwali – the festival of lights – approaching, potters in Kumarpalli of Kurigram's Fulbari upazila have been producing thousands of traditional clay lamps to meet the seasonal demand, but rising production costs and stagnant selling prices are eating into their earnings.

For the past 20 days, potter families have been working tirelessly to produce thousands of earthen lamps, locally known as diyari, for supply to different markets ahead of the festivals. Men, women and even children are joining hands to complete the work in time.

For generations, members of the Hindu community have illuminated their homes and puja mandaps with traditional clay lamps alongside decorative electric lights during Diwali.

The festival-driven demand provides a seasonal business opportunity for the potters of Kumarpalli, bringing a surge of activity to their neighbourhood every year.

However, potters said rising production costs and stagnant selling prices were shrinking their profits.

A recent visit to Chandrakhana Kumarpalli under Fulbari Sadar union found artisans engaged in different stages of production. While some were preparing clay, others were shaping lamps on pottery wheels, drying them in the sun or making final preparations for sale.

Thousands of lamps were being produced through the collective efforts of family members.

Local artisans said their products were supplied not only to local markets but also to different areas of Fulbari and Nageshwari, including Gagla Bazar, as well as Barabari and Noyarhat in neighbouring Lalmonirhat district.

Potter Bishnu Chandra Paul and his wife Tumpa Rani Paul said demand for clay lamps increased several times ahead of Diwali compared to other periods of the year.

The couple has set a target of producing around 20,000 lamps this year, and most of the work is already complete. They have already sold most of the lamps directly from their home at 50 taka per 100 pieces.

They expect to sell the remaining lamps at 60 taka to 70 taka per 100 pieces in different local markets, including Balarhat, Gongahat, Kharibari and Newashi.

Bishnu said they had spent around 4,000 taka on clay, fuel and other materials to produce the 20,000 lamps. After selling all the products, he expects to earn around 6,000 taka.

Other artisans in the area, including Tapas Kumar Paul, Ananda Kumar Paul and Beren Chandra Paul, said they had been working for the past 20 days, targeting production of 15,000, 10,000 and 5,000 lamps respectively.

However, rising prices of clay, fuel and other raw materials have made the business increasingly difficult, while the prices of finished lamps have not increased proportionately.

They said their earnings were much better 15 to 20 years ago than they are today.

Despite the financial challenges, they continue to pursue the traditional occupation inherited from their forefathers.

Once the festival rush is over, they will return to making other clay products, including cooking pots and household utensils.

Artisans said around 100 families in Chandrakhana Kumarpalli had been involved in pottery for generations. Although the craft remains their primary source of livelihood, declining income has pushed many families into financial hardship.

Contacted, Kartik Chandra Sarkar, president of the Fulbari upazila unit of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, and Sunil Chandra Roy, president of the Fulbari upazila unit of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad, said Diwali would be celebrated on Sunday on the new moon night.

Like in previous years, members of the Hindu community are collecting traditional clay lamps from the potters' neighbourhood to illuminate their homes and puja mandaps during the celebrations.

For the potters of Kumarpalli, the festival is not only a time of celebration but also an important opportunity to earn a living and keep their generations-old craft alive.