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Proper steps needed to keep alive Naogaon pottery industry


Published : 16 Jan 2021 08:31 PM

The ancient most, traditional pottery industry is facing extinction in Naogaon. The decrease in demand for pottery goods, excessive price of colour and paint and cheap price of plastic and Aluminium goods are the reasons behind such situation of a gradual decline in need of the pottery. 

As a result, hundreds of potters in the district are spending their days in utter financial hardship. 

Survey work shows that most of the artisans involved in this conventional industry of pottery not have the scientific knowledge and techniques owing to illiteracy and poverty. 

Supply of raw material, innovation in product design, scientific knowledge of artisans, improving manufacturing technique, proper training and assistance and marketing support and services could help the industry to save from extinction. A huge plan should be implement to remit the adversity and take action to alive this tremendous heritage for our own sake. If steps are taken, the industry can turn around from the extinction. 

The pottery arts are related to soil and human lives of the traditional rural Bangla. Though the potters are spending their time in dire hardship, the potters of Atrai still envisioned for a bright-days ahead. They think the demand for this pure art made of soil will increase again. 

In Raipur and Bhabanipur Palpara of Atrai, potters were seen to struggle for their existence. Multifarious problems and lack of patronisation have dragged the industry on the verge of crisis. Still, many were continuing the tradition of their forefathers. Hundreds of potters used to live in villages of Raipur, Mirapur, Shaheb Ganj, Bahal and Pachupur of the upazila as well. 

Once upon a time, these villages were famous for pottery industries. But the advance of science, development of technology, availability of alternative goods, lack of patronisation and absence of new market were thwarting the expansion of the industry. As a result, customers are losing interest to purchase pottery goods and many old-pottery artists are also being forced to change their profession.

Zitendranath Paul of Bhabanipur village informed, he is still clinging to the ancient profession he acquired from his father and forefathers.  He added, there was a huge demand for pottery goods made of soil once upon a time but the industry is now facing an acute crisis due to lack of patronisation and fall in demand.

BiplobKumar Paul of Raipur village informed, now they need to expend more for collecting soil because the rivers and canals have been filled up due to the adverse impact of climate change.  

Moreover, the excessive price of fuel was also the cause of the production cost of the potteries. As a result, most of the potters of the upazila were incurring a huge loss. 

Sanaul Islam, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Atrai informed it is possible to export the pottery goods abroad if the potters are trained properly. He assured to arrange training for the potters from the local upazila administration.