The Art of Diya Making

The Art of Diya Making – Keeping Traditions Alive in Ranchi 🪔✨

Text and Photos by – Ashok Karan

As Diwali draws near, potters across Ranchi are busy crafting an array of beautiful earthen creations — from traditional Diyas and lanterns to small clay idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. The festive markets are beginning to glow with these handmade treasures that symbolize light, prosperity, and devotion.

However, this year brought unexpected challenges. Continuous rainfall and damp weather disrupted production, making it difficult for artisans to dry and fire their clay creations on time. Despite these hurdles, the spirit of Ranchi’s potters remains undiminished.

Ranchi’s Pottery Scene – A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Ranchi is home to several pottery manufacturers and dealers who specialize in both traditional terracotta and contemporary ceramic designs. Prominent names like Happy Matti, Raunak Arts, and Raj Ceramics are preserving age-old craftsmanship while catering to modern tastes.

Pottery here serves both decorative and functional purposes — from home décor and garden accessories to kitchenware. Many artisans and shops have now also embraced eco-friendly practices and online sales platforms, making their art more accessible.

Key Pottery Hubs in Ranchi:

• 🏺 Happy Matti – A leading name in handmade pottery and décor.
• 🏺 Raunak Arts – Known for its unique terracotta and ceramic art pieces.
• 🏺 Clay Pot Dealers – Found along Harmu Road and Kanke Road, offering an array of earthen pots for cooking and gardening.
• 🏺 Raj Ceramics – Specialized in both traditional and modern designer Diyas.
• 🏺 Prajapati Mitti Mega Mart – Renowned for vibrant and colorful festive Diyas.

These enterprises not only sustain cultural heritage but also contribute significantly to the local economy by creating employment opportunities and empowering artisans.

Challenges Faced by Traditional Diya Makers

Despite their skill and dedication, rural potters face numerous challenges:

• 💡 The market is flooded with cheap, mass-produced electric lamps and plastic lights, reducing demand for traditional earthen Diyas.
• ⏳ Each Diya takes nearly 48 hours to complete — from shaping to drying and firing — yet sells for a very low price.
• 💰 Rising raw material costs and lack of financial support make it hard to sustain livelihoods.
• 😷 Traditional kilns emit smoke that poses serious health risks to artisans.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Younger generations are losing interest due to low income and tough working conditions.
• 🏭 Large-scale manufacturers benefit most during Diwali, overshadowing small rural artisans.

One local potter, Karan Kumar Prajapati, shared that he sells Diyas at ₹150 per 100 pieces, but due to heavy rains this year, he had to raise the price to ₹200. Alongside Diyas, he also crafts clay idols of Lakshmi-Ganesh and colorful figurines, even sourcing vibrant designs from West Bengal and Assam.

Today, many potters have switched from traditional manual wheels to electric potter’s wheels, improving efficiency while retaining the essence of handcrafting.

Innovation and Hope – Lighting the Way Forward

Amidst challenges, innovation and resilience shine through:

• 🌟 Ashok Chakradhari from Chhattisgarh invented a Diya that burns continuously for 24 hours, blending traditional skills with scientific innovation.
• 🌆 In Dharavi’s Kumbharwada, Mumbai, potters originally from Gujarat have built a thriving community that produces thousands of handmade Diyas each Diwali.
• 🌾 In Raidighi village (West Bengal), women have embraced Diya making to support their families.
• ⚙️ The Mati Kala Board of Uttar Pradesh provides potters with electric wheels, pug mills, and easy bank loans to sustain their craft.

Several organizations and conscious consumers are also promoting the use of locally made Diyas, supporting artisans and preserving India’s cultural heritage. Even our Prime Minister has emphasized the importance of buying local and handmade products, ensuring the lamps of these hardworking artisans continue to shine brightly.

Let’s celebrate this Diwali by choosing handmade Diyas — lighting not just our homes, but the lives of the artisans behind them. ✨

#DiyaMaking #HandmadeWithLove #SupportLocalArtisans #VocalForLocal #RanchiPottery #TerracottaArt #Diwali2025 #ClayCraft #IndianHandicraft #AshokKaranPhotography