Feature: Demand for clay pottery products now on the rise in Bangladesh
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E-mail Xinhua, February 13, 2013
Most Bangladeshi people, poor or rich, used to rely on clay pottery products, whether painted or painted, for their household ornament.
But as lifestyles changed along with social and economic advancement, the demand for clay pottery products plunged in Bangladesh as low-cost and metal-based substitutes became more in vogue.
The situation over the last few years, however, has gradually reversed since the potters started to make very attractive designs on pottery items and the quality and aesthetic values of their works have greatly improved.
"Clay pottery items for households were extremely close to extinction. Now we have brought changes to the design of the pottery items. So, people are showing interest in buying colorful potteries," Mofizul Islam, a seller, said.
He said customers' interest for clay pottery items and showpieces is growing day by day.
"I like clay potteries very much now that there are new designs to choose from," said Taslima Tandra, a young lady customer.
Tandra said that she prefers colorfully-designed clay potteries than ceramic items because the former appear to be more natural.
Customers and sellers have agreed that there is now a revival of the art of clay pottery-making. In fact, in Dhaka alone there are now hundreds of pottery shops producing a variety of clay- based household items.
The Bangladeshi government has supported the efforts of Bangladeshi potters to regain its past glory.
As a sign of their interest, thousands of people have already visited the exhibition of pottery products organized by Bangladesh Folk Art and Crafts Foundation in Sonargaon. This annual month- long fair opened last Jan. 21.
Not just local residents but foreign tourists as well have flocked to the different stalls at the exhibition venue to buy ornaments made of clay.
Sonargaon, some 27 km east of capital Dhaka, used to be the capital of the Muslim Sultanate of Bengal from the 13th century until Mughal Emperor Akbar conquered the region.
The exhibition features a range of works by traditional potters from different parts of the country. An estimated half a million people from about six hundred villages in the country are directly engaged in pottery-making.
Works of both well-known and emerging talents are on display at the exhibition-- from household items like wall panels, tiles, functional tableware, light shades, crockery, fountains, garden decorations and other items.
In some stalls, potters display their talent in pottery-making to the delight of the customers.
In front of his would-be customers, Sushanta Kumar Pal, a 55- year-old clay artist, hand-painted his pottery item with diligence.
Pal, born in a potter's family in Rajshahi, some 261 kilometer northwest of Bangladesh capital, took up the ancestral profession at childhood.
"Once upon a time in Rajshahi, pottery items were very popular. About four to five thousand families were engaged in this profession. But now it is near to extinction over there," Pal said.
Pal, however, said that he will never abandon clay pottery making since it is their family heritage.
Although Pal never went to school for formal art education, his artworks highlight an array of styles, techniques, colors and textures.
Pal is now optimistic about the revival of this folk art as he called on the Bangladeshi government to help promote the industry by giving incentives to potters all over the country. Endit
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