“Every Diwali, we make different kinds of kalashas for Lakshmi Puja. We learnt this work from our elders, and now our children are growing up watching us make pottery, just as we did when we were young.

Once the pots are ready, we sit together to paint them. We use bright colours like pink, red, green and blue, and decorate them with colourful beads. People buy them for their homes and puja rooms, and some also give them to their children as Diwali gifts.

Diwali is our busiest time of the year. We sell most of our pottery during these few weeks, and the money helps us run our household for the rest of the year. That is why this season is so important to us.

Sometimes, a pot cracks in the kiln. We spend so much time making it, and it is disappointing when it breaks just like that. We have no choice but to start again.

Things are different now. There are so many factory-made decorations, plastic items and electric lights in the market. They are often cheaper, and it has become difficult for us to compete with them.

Still, we like what we do. It feels good when someone likes a pot we have made and takes it home. We also get to earn through our own work and contribute to our family. After spending hours making and painting these pots, seeing people appreciate them makes us happy.

We hope people will continue choosing handmade pottery for their Diwali celebrations. When you buy from local artisans, you are not just taking home something made by hand; you are also supporting a family, their livelihood and a craft that has been passed down through generations. This Diwali, remember the people behind the things you bring home.”