‘I will keep dying craft of pottery alive’

Srinagar, Feb 16: Muhammad Amin Kumar proudly keenly watches his collection of pottery items made by him in his modest shop at Hazratbal market on the banks of Dal Lake.

“I am carrying on my family’s legacy,” Kumar said. “I inherited this art of pottery from my parents. This trade dates back to my great-grandfather’s time,” he said.

However, with the passage of time, the art of pottery-making has few takers. “This craft requires a particular type of clay known as Kral Mech. I get this clay from Budgam. We don’t during winter, but we have brisk business during summer, especially during the wedding season. The huge orders for Tumbaknaer, a musical instrument made of clay, boosts our earnings,” he said.

He said the process of pottery making involves a complex process. “First, the raw clay is dried in the sun. Then, it's crushed and sieved to remove impurities. The refined clay is then mixed with water and kneaded to create a smooth, pliable mixture.”

To create a pot, he said the process involves three main steps. First, the base is shaped, followed by the upper portion, which is created separately. The neck of the pot is then formed, and finally, all the parts are joined together using a pottery wheel.

“Once the pot is complete, it's dried in the sun, then baked in a kiln to strengthen it. The final step involves decorating the pot with colors to make it aesthetically pleasing. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to make Tumbaknaer which is an important part of marriage celebrations in Kashmir,” he said.

“We also sell earthen lamps known as Choenkh (Diya). These diyas are used on various occasions such as Diwali and Shab-e-Bharat.”

“Despite challenges, I ensure to carry on my family’s legacy. I will continue to make items made of clay whether someone purchase it or not. I will keep this dying craft alive,” he said in an emotional tone.