Tarash Correspondent
Potters in the villages of Chalanbeel areas under Tarash, Ullapara, Salanga and Raiganjupazilas are in a dire straits as they are failing to be in tune with the present age. As a result, the traditional pottery industry of the region is now on the verge of extinction. Due to the fall in demand of earthenware and the high cost of soil, many potters have changed their profession while more than 100 potter families in the upazilas are still struggling to survive with their ancient paternal profession.
Potters complain, the improved technology, wide use of plastic, melamine and ceramic made wares have squeezed badly the demand of pottery goods. As a result, they are not being able to earn a minimum amount to maintain their families by sticking to this industry. But, due to lack of empolyment and to hold the ancient tradition of their fathers and forefathers, some are still with this profession.
According to sources more than 100 potters live at Palpara village under Salanga upazila. Since the residents of the village have been engaged with the profession of pottery for a long time, the village has been named as ' Palpara' or the village for the potters.
Ranjit Paul, Sohagi Rani Paul and many others of the village said they have been stick to the paternal profession somehow but they are not interested to involve their sons and daughters with the profession. They said, they remain without any works for major parts of a year. Often they spent idle times by sitting with their pottery goods in local markets and hats. Ranjit said, with two of his sons and one daughter he is spending most of the time in dire need. To stick to the paternal profession, he has been forced to lease his homestead land. He opined if the government does not allot them loan at a very low interest rate, the pottery industry would get extinct in a short span of time.
Sreemorti Paul of Salanga village informed, the price of soil is exorbitant now a days and soil is not available in her area. It should be carried from a far away place. The price and the carrying cost increase the production cost of the pottery goods that is why it is very hard to earn profit by selling the finished goods. In the past, there was a great demand of pottery items like pitcher, Dhupati, flower vase, cooking pot, dish and deer. Now, the demand of all pottery goods have been dimished. She further said, during holding of any fair, Eid or Puja, the potters did not even get time to sleep and eat in the past because of their work. The entire pottery- village remained busy in making various goods. But, those days seem only a memory now a day, she added.
Sanaton Das, President of Tarash Press Club informed, the pottery industry should be modernised to save it from being extinct. The potters should be trained in making various usable, luxury goods and during various functions and specially during the PahelaBoishakh,use of pottery goods should be increased to save the industry. The use of environment friendly pottery items should be increased by avoiding the use of harmful plastic and melamine items. He also demanded to allocate loan for the potters at a low interest rate.
