Colorful fiber lamps replacing traditional clay lamps in Bodeli region

A heavy shopping atmosphere is being witnessed in the Jabugam region of Bodeli taluka during the Diwali festival. However, this year, there is an increasing preference for attractive colorful fiber lamps over traditional clay lamps and diyas. Due to the growing craze for fiber lamps, the tradition and significance of clay lamps, which have endured for thousands of years, are gradually fading.

According to a report by Sandesh, this shift has placed the livelihood of artistic potters in Bodeli taluka under the shadow of unemployment. Natubhai Prajapati, an experienced artisan living in the Kumbharwada of Jabugam, crafts 150 to 300 diyas, kullads, and kodiya daily on the potter's wheel. They shape the items from clay, cut them with string, bake them in a kiln, and finish them with paint. Despite this, they earn barely enough for their basic sustenance.

The scarcity of clay has also emerged as a major problem for the artisans. Since clay now has to be sourced from outside, its processing costs have become more expensive than gold. Furthermore, the sons of the Prajapati community are not willing to learn this artistic heritage, leaving this cottage industry in a dying state.