Less demand for earthen pot

The earthen pots which were once in a great demand during summer are nowhere to be seen around city shops as traditional pot making families opting for kooli and other jobs

From ancient tradition using of clay pots, making pots were considered as good for health. But, Mysore being an traditional city is losing its one of its tradition work.

During summer most of them were using water stored in earthen pots / pitchers as it is good for health and will retain its freshness and remains cool for long time thus being naturally eco-friendly, when compared to the today's refrigerators and water-coolers that can cool water to freezing levels, though considered harmful to health and consume a lot of power in the process. But now it’s heart-quenching to know that ‘Madake’ or earthen / terracotta pots which were in more demand and used to quench the summer thrust have reached vanishing stage.

With summer round the corner, Express spoke with some old potters in the city who once made a livelihood making these pots with their bare hands as well as the vendors who sell them, to know if anybody were still interested in storing and cooling water in natural way. Their common response was sadness as they had stopped making pots altogether and had already involved themselves in doing odd jobs or setting up alternate businesses.

“For the past 6 years the pottery business is going down drastically as there are no buyers now unlike in the past. Everything has been commercialized. One big pot costs around Rs. 60-80 and people think twice to buy paying that much also, many times they walk away simply.” This were the words said by pot makers.
When expressed surveyed traders in Kumbargeri, Nanjumalige, Paduvarhalli, Market and near St. Philomena’s church who bring their pots from Nagmarga, Chenya, Tandekere, Channapatna, Pandupura, Hoonganhalli, Doora, KR Pet, Bannur and other surround areas their views were hence:

“Now-a-days people have opted more for refrigerators, eating ice creams, drinking juices so on. Year to year the sale is deepening. If the same loss continues in the business, I am planning to opt for some other business for livelihood. I do wanted my kids to suffer like me, so I have made them to join for other works. Now its very hard to find pot-makers also as they are going for kooli and get Rs. 150-200 per day. Some who have studied are working for shops, hotels, etc.” says Rajendra a resident of Paduvarahalli, who is in this business from past 27 years in city market.

No business at all. Life has become misery. In future it’s difficult to continue the sale of pots. At present I don’t have sufficient fund to start other business. Let this unfortunate shall end with me only, I do want my children to suffer in the same manner.
- Jayamma, Nanjumalige

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Once Kumbargeri, Paduvarahalli were famous for pot makers but now it’s very hard to find even one due to less demand. Only for few occasions (good & bad) they buy pots.
- Mahesh, Kumbargeri

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Due to less demand, the parents don’t ask the children to continue their work. The pot-making generation will surely stop.
- Shobha, Nanjumalige