Pottery, which once thrived in the state, has been on the decline as number of potters has been dwindling though the demand for the earthenware is still there.
These Kumbhars were earlier concentrated in certain wards of villages but today just a few of them are to be found in Socorro in Bardez and some in Sanquelim.
‘Moddkeancho Bazaar’ at Mapusa is a unique earthenware market in Goa where Kumbhars from many places come with their goods to sell. In the past, this market was at Cine Alankar, where around 50 such potters used to sell their wares. Now, though they have a special place with a shade, their number has dwindled to 15.
Mr Anthony Fernandes, a potter from Duler who has been selling the earthenware for the last 10 years, said that in spite of domination of gas cylinders, modern cooking appliances like cookers, toasters and utensils of steel and aluminium the demand for the earthenware has not
come down.
“Our business has not at all been affected. People still buy the earthenware as they are eco-friendly and food friendly. The earthenware are also considered safe. Even now in this hot summer people come and buy the most sought after ‘gurguret’ as they know that refrigerated water could be harmful for health.”
He said that although there is a demand for the earthenware there has been a considerable decline in making of these wares, which has forced the potters to keep the price high.
Mr Fernandes recalled that in the time gone by the earthenware had been in great demand. Goan Kumbhar was most sought after for his wares from kitchen utensils to decorative goods.
Ms Teresa Valles, a 75-year-old potter from Socorro who has been into pottery business for the last 60 years, said that her husband and son are also into pottery making.
“I have observed that Goan earthenware goods are still in demand in
spite of modern kitchen appliances. People still want our items, but there is nobody to make them,” she lamented.
It is observed that many potters who sell their wares in the market sometimes hawk them to other places.
She felt that if this ‘art’ has to survive then the government’s help is absolutely necessary. “We are not aware of any schemes meant for us,” she said.
Mr Fernandes also said the government should come out with proper schemes for them so that that traditional Goan art of pottery making is preserved for posterity.
Pointing out to various earthenware goods being sold by her and her colleagues, Ms Valles said that this pottery is mostly manual work, but today nobody wants to dirty their hands. She said that it is a lucrative work as the earthenware and could be in demand in future.
http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/earthenware-still-demand
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