Diwali is a festival of lights but the light from diya is diminishing due to the coming of Chinese lights or other artificial lights. The use of diyas have become limited. The easily accessible and pocket friendly Chinese lamps have taken over the traditional diya. Every year with the coming of Diwali the artificial lamp business boost up but that of traditional lamp goes down.

Earlier diya making during Diwali was a blessing for potters but in recent years with the coming of attractive artificial lights, diyas and lamps, it is no more a blessing for them. People are more interested in buying artificial lights or lamps rather than traditional clay diyas. To light a diya, apart from diya, oil or ghee and wick are also needed which adds to the cost.

Sanju, a vendor from Boring road said, “For the first time I have invested in diyas but till now I have not gained much profit as most of the people are moving towards buying artificial lamps.”

I have brought my diyas from Rajasthan and I am still hoping for the good sale otherwise my business would be in a loss, he added.

Another vendor named Aryan who was selling diyas near Boring Road Chauraha said, “I am selling diyas here since 6 years. I live in Digha but to sell them I have to come here every year.” He brought his diyas from Sonepur.

Aryan also said that he stared buying limited diyas because he doesn’t want a big loss.

Rahul, a vendor said, “I used to sell diyas near High Court since last 10 years but this year I have changed my place because of police. I am losing my business as compare to previous years because of increase in artificial light and Chinese light business.” He is selling terracotta diyas for five rupees per piece.”

Md. Bashir, from Boring Road chauraha said, “I am selling diyas here since 1962, I brought my diyas from Hajipur. Potter from whom I buy diyas have started making limited diyas as compare to previous years because very few vendors are reaching to him. Many of his vendors have shifted towards selling Chinese lights and artificial lights which has made his business fall.

Earlier I used to sell 4 small diyas for 25 paise. Now I am selling small diyas for 1 rupee per piece, bigger one 2 rupees and the biggest at 5 rupees per piece respectively. I am making my grandson and granddaughter sit with me to learn the business.

He also said he suffers loss in diya business but want his coming generation to learn because the business of diya selling during Diwali will never die.

Diwali is a festival of lights, early it was from traditional lamp and now it is from artificial lamp, but the hope of traditional lamp is still alive.

Subia Fakhra

  diwali, festival, Patna