One of the 10 families at Basantpur villages involved in the business of pottery. Pictures by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, July 22: Had it not been religious rituals, potters at Basantpur village on the outskirts of the city would have left the art by now.

One of the most ancient professions of the world, pottery is slowly fading away in and around the twin cities since modern day utensils and resources have replaced earthen pots and pans. Ten families of Basantpur and only a handful families in Cuttack’s Kumbhar Sahi continue to roll the potter’s wheel to make a living while many in various places in the two cities have given it up already.

The demand of clay pots for use in wedding or other auspicious ceremonies, death ceremonies and jajna (sacrificial fire worship) is the only saviour for the potters. Another growing ray of hope is the demand for pots at various small food joints and dhabas for maati handi maansa or mutton cooked in earthen pot.

“Our village is the supplier for clay pots to all major markets in Bhubaneswar such as Unit-I, Unit-IV, Saheed Nagar and Indradhanu Market as well as various centres in Cuttack,” said 50-year-old Kasinath Muduli of Basantpur’s Muduli Sahi.

The craftsmen of this village also provide traditional cooking pots to Lingaraj temple and many other shrines. “The potters at Kapileswar village near Old Town used to make the pots. But, they have left the profession after incurring heavy losses. It is easier for them to collect orders from us and sell the products at a profit,” said Balaram Muduli.

From kids to women to men of all ages, the village has craftsmen completely dedicated to pottery. They create earthen lamps, small and big clay pots and various clay articles used in temples.

“Who uses clay cooking ware now? In fact, refrigerators have also become so common that surahi (long-necked water pot), once immensely popular even in the urban areas, especially during summers, is totally out of market now. We are thankful to God that the growing interest in rituals, increasing number of jajnas, weddings and other functions are here to save us,” said 55-year-old craftswoman Sunamani Muduli.

The demand of these articles is so high that the potters sometimes decline orders. Each family earns around Rs 15,000 a month, selling only the puja articles and the pots for cooking mutton.

“Sadly, our village has never been identified as a special crafts village though we have kept the profession alive for generations. Today, we face issues such as non-availability of clay. All the 10 families join and buy it for Rs 20,000 per tractor. Furnace is also a problem. We use congested furnaces just around our houses that could be dangerous. Apart from that, fuel is also an issue,” said Kasinath Muduli.

In Cuttack, potters have taken up making small idols of gods and goddesses to survive.

“Our next generation finds education more attractive since it leads to better paying careers. But then, will this ancient professionfade away forever? Where will the customers in need of pots and pans during religious rituals go?” asked Sunamani.