It may seem stern to many as our state Govt. organizes fairs and exhibitions to promote market to such rural and ethnic arts but in reality such efforts are so little and ineffective in contrast with the problems and pathos of the artisans that it failed to be the harbinger in their life. While interacting with TIWN, some potters of the subdivision have depicted their problems. Jamini Rudrapal, Sudhir Rudrapal, Shyamal Rudrapal and many others spoke in the same tune that by no means sounded the gala and hope for present and future too.

Pottery is their hereditary profession that they acquired from their ancestors. Those golden days lost in the past when a potter could earn a large sum by this profession. The wet clay, the whirling of the wheel, burning and colouring of the products and ultimately marketing – that was all of their economic life. Yes, the Steel, Aluminium or Plastic products were not available for common man to use then. Whether it was the richest man or the poorest of the locality, each had to use the same products. There was the market and earning too. So the profession flowed from generation to generation. It may be mentioned here that in 1947-48, a clay jar of big size was sold in 50 paise and a small jar in 25 paise only. This price was enough as the potters could avail a gentle and simple life with this earning. But now, when a jar is sold at an average price of 70 to 80 rupees, they find it difficult to maintain the life with it. The market is synchronized and people now buy potteries in the occasion of religious festivals and funerals. Rest of the year they find hardly any job and naturally become busy with other profession. Their next generation is quite educated and they are being induldged in other professions. In contrast with the other jobs, it is really tough for them even to earn a static monthly income from this throughout the year. And though the government is creating much hurly-burly about the privileges and schemes for them, in reality a potter has never been able to grab a loan from any bank for the promotion of their trade. If the bank gets ready for the same no such person will be available who is willing to be the guarantee for them. It is simply because of the wretched condition of their trade which can help no man to stand by them. It is the fact that, the tine is not very far when the potter’s wheel and pottery will become the showpiece in museums. Probably it’s the wheel of time!