Save clay potters

Once we used to use pottery items in our everyday life. From the kitchen utensils to showpieces, pottery items were the most used household tools. It was not too long ago that earthen pots, pitchers, jugs, glasses, bowls, dishes and dolls were found in every home. But now, our markets are full of household materials made of mostly plastic, ceramic, metal, melamine and more. Compared to the pottery items, these products are very cheap and durable. Besides, these earthen items are heavier and need extra caution for their use. The overall difficulty of the process has made the potters leave their ancestors' profession.

Today, we still have a handful of skilled potters who have centuries of experience behind them. However, their craft is unable to earn a decent livelihood. If we want to save them and their century-old profession, we should create awareness among our younger generations about the artistic and cultural aspects of pottery. This in turn can lead to a revival of pottery as a flourishing cottage industry in Bangladesh.

Potters these days are trying to cope with the demand of people, and hence, are engaging in making different showpieces such as dolls, small banks, flower vases, pots and things like that. If they can get proper support from the government and other non-government organisations, at least they do not need to switch their jobs. Also, if they can get soft loans from the government and other financial institutions, it would be very helpful for them to continue with their family business.

Afroza Sheikh,

Dania, Dhaka,

ilcbd2008@gmail.com