NewKerala.com

Diwali's Bright Revival: How Traditional Diyas Outshine Chinese Lights

The festival of Diwali is witnessing a remarkable shift towards traditional, locally-made products this year. Potters in Varanasi and women-led Self-Help Groups in Prayagraj are experiencing unprecedented demand for their handmade diyas and candles. This surge reflects the growing national sentiment of supporting indigenous crafts and artisans. The 'Vocal for Local' campaign is not just a slogan, but a transformative economic movement empowering local communities.

Key Points: Traditional Diyas Triumph Over Chinese Lights in Diwali Market

  • Varanasi potters witness 40% business growth in traditional clay lamp sales
  • Self-Help Groups in Prayagraj empower women through handmade candle production
  • 'Vocal for Local' campaign driving indigenous product preference
  • Traditional artisans experiencing economic revival during Diwali festival
2 min read

Surge in demand for traditional earthen lamps outshines Chinese lights this Diwali

Local artisans in Varanasi and Prayagraj see massive surge in diya sales, marking a significant 'Vocal for Local' victory this Diwali

"This time, the demand for our traditional diyas is so high that we are struggling to fulfil all the orders. - Sunil Kumar, Potter"

Varanasi/Prayagraj, Oct 16

As the festival of lights draws near, a strong wave of nationalism and support for indigenous products is sweeping across India - particularly in the spiritual city of Varanasi and the holy town of Prayagraj.

The slogans of "Vocal for Local" and "Make in India" are not just political catchphrases anymore; they are breathing new life into traditional artisans and self-help groups.

Potters of Varanasi witness a business boom

In Suddhipur village of Varanasi, more than 2,500 potters (Kumhars) are working tirelessly to meet the soaring demand for traditional clay lamps (diyas). After years of facing neglect and the onslaught of cheap Chinese LED lights, these artisans are finally seeing better days.

Sunil Kumar, a local potter, shares with a smile, "This time, the demand for our traditional diyas is so high that we are struggling to fulfil all the orders."

Dinesh Prajapati, another potter, adds, "Our business has increased by nearly 40 per cent compared to last year. We are grateful that people are choosing Indian products over imported ones or Chinese lights."

The vibrant glow of earthen lamps is once again lighting up the streets of Kashi, not just in celebration but also in economic revival.

Raghurai Prajapati, a veteran potter, remarks, "After many difficult years, this Diwali has brought new hope. We only wish that this momentum continues and traditional arts are promoted even more strongly."

Women-led Self-Help Groups light up Prayagraj with handmade candles

Meanwhile, in Prayagraj, the local markets are also abuzz with a similar trend. The message of "Vocal for Local" has not only influenced buying behaviour but has also empowered many Self-Help Groups (SHGs) run by women.

These women are producing handmade wax diyas and decorative candles, which are in such high demand that they are struggling to keep up.

One of the SHG members explains, "We are making candles day and night, but the demand is overwhelming. This is the first time our products are being preferred over machine-made or imported items."

Thanks to this boost, these women are not only contributing to the festival celebrations but also strengthening their financial independence.

The government's emphasis on promoting local products seems to be yielding tangible results. With traditional clay lamps returning to prominence and local women becoming torchbearers of small-scale industry, this Diwali is shining brighter for thousands of Indian families.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Finally seeing some positive change! Our potters and artisans deserve this recognition. I remember my grandmother used to say that diyas made from Ganga clay have special spiritual significance. Hope this trend continues beyond festivals.
S
Sarah B
As someone who recently moved to India, I find this tradition beautiful. The handmade diyas I bought from local markets have so much more character than mass-produced lights. The women's self-help groups doing amazing work! 👏
A
Arjun K
While I support buying local, I hope the government ensures fair prices for these artisans. Sometimes middlemen take most of the profit. Direct benefit to actual craftspeople should be the priority.
M
Meera T
The empowerment of women through SHGs is the real Diwali celebration! 💫 My family has been buying from local artisans for three generations. There's something magical about lighting handmade diyas - it connects us to our roots.
V
Vikram M
Great to see traditional arts getting their due respect. However, we need sustainable solutions beyond festival seasons. Maybe skill development and modern marketing techniques can help these artisans throughout the year.
K
Kavya N
My children loved decorating our home with these beautiful clay diyas! They learned about our traditions

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50