How the half-blind potter in Silchar is keeping the art alive despite low demand and many challenges

On the way to Karimganj from Silchar, there is a half-built flyover in Srikona. A left turn from there towards Mohanpur and a kilometre drive. On the right-hand side, there is a residence which has turned into a school with a massive workshop. A man named Bappan Paul is at the cusp of losing his eyesight. His is blind from one eye but he has trained many more eyes to keep the age-old heritage art or pottery alive.

“Currently, we are 24 of us who prepare various clay utensils,” says Kuton Paul, Bappan Paul’s brother-in-law. The demand for clay items is at an all-time low. “Domestic demands had shrunk long back. People used to buy clay utensils to conduct last rights, or for Puja purposes. This year, due to the lockdown, that demand has also shrunk,” added Kuton Paul.

All of them were waiting for Diwali to bring them some fortune. But that has not happened. “People don’t want complications. They will buy lights worth thousands, but they are too lazy to put oil and maintain the earthen lamps. This is why they have stopped using them,” says Rudra Paul who has been a potter for more than 25 years.

This year, the Prime Minister of India had urged the people of India to be “Vocal For Local.” That nudge was expected to come as a boost for the local vendors. “Unfortunately, this has not happened,” says Rudra Paul. He adds, “It won’t be fair to attribute the debacle of earthen lamps only to the Chinese lamps. We are a victim of a cultural shift. People just don’t use clay utensils unless they have to,’ added Rudra Paul.

Rudra Paul, Kuton Paul and the entire group laud the impact of Bappan Paul and his father. “We learnt it from them. Bappan Paul’s father is no longer here with us, but they have taught us the art from scratch,” says Kuton Paul.

A magic-truck full of clay costs them Rs 500. “Last year it was 400,” says Rudra Paul. The clay is stocked in a pit inside the residence and from there the workers make a dough out of it. From there the processed clay is shifted to the potter’s workstation where they create various utensils.

“It takes five days to mould a pot,” informed Rudra Paul. The Pauls sell the utensils to the retailers at a wholesale rate. “The vendors still have their stocks so there is no demand,” said Kuton Paul.

Demand or not, Bappan Paul’s contribution to the art is immense. He has inspired many igniting minds to take up the art despite the future being uncertain.