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KALASKATHI VILLAGE IN BARISHAL
Clay artisans gear up ahead of ‘pitha’ season
PHOTO: TITU DAS
SUSHANTA GHOSH
With the arrival of winter, potters of Kalaskathi village in Bakerganj Upazila of Barishal district are now busy making pitha moulds.
There are at least 50 potters in the village and they start off the winter season by selling these traditional hand-made moulds made out of clay.
Throughout the season, as the demand for traditional winter pithas rises, the demand for such pitha moulds rises with it. Some potters informed this correspondent that they would make around 50,000 such moulds to sell across various districts including Dhaka.
They sell these moulds primarily for “chitoi” and “bhapa” pithas at a wholesale rate of Tk 800-1,000 for every hundred pieces.
This tradition is not just limited to the Kalaskathi village, but it is quite popular for the potters in Gaila village of Barishal district, Jhalakathi Palpara of Jhalakathi district, Baufal and Baga Palpara of Patuakhali district and Kaukhali Palpara of Pirojpur district.
Over 500 families across the division are heavily engaged in this village are now busy making various types of pitha moulds.
In just this division alone, over 40 lakh pitha moulds will be made during the winter season, according to potters in this area.
Anuradha Pal, a potter from Kalskathi village, said at the beginning of winter every eyar, they make at least 3,000-4,000 “chitoi” and “bhapa” pitha moulds. This year is no exception.
However, as the price of clay has doubled this year, they will have to sell each item at least Tk 8-10 higher than last year’s price, she said, adding that they are worried that it will be harder for them to sustain their profession if prices continue to rise.
Shankar Pal, Anuradha’s husband, said they have no other education and training. They only know how to make pottery out of clay. Now, iron moulds for pithas are available in the market. So, the demand for clay moulds is beginning to shrink.
Sabitri Pal, another potter in the village, said once upon a time, over 300 families were involved in this line of work. Now, only 70-80 families remain in this profession.
“We can’t leave our grandfather’s profession -- that’s why we have to do this work even when we don’t make much money,” said Gautam Pal, another potter.
Biseshwar Paul, adviser of a welfare organisation for potters, said, “If pottery can be made in accordance with market demand, it can be sustained. For example, Baufal Pottery has earned a reputation by catering to the market. We requested the government to provide potters with various mechanical tools, loans and training on the modern market system. All of this will help sustain this line of work.”
Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industries Director Ebaidul Haque Chan said for such traditional items, it is absolutely necessary to take up projects at the government level.