400-year-old method of making eco-friendly firecrackers with clay revived in Vadodara (ANI)
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An NGO named Pramukh Parivaar Foundation has helped in the revival of this art which is four centuries old. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's motto of 'Vocal for Local' inspired the NGO to bring this ages-old art back to life.
A 400-year-old way of making firecrackers using clay is witnessing a small revival in Vadodara.
In Kumharwada, Fatehpur of Vadodara district live some craftsmen who have expertise in making firecrackers using clay, a variety of crackers known as Kothis. But then, Chinese firecrackers flooded the Indian markets which stopped the production of these firecrackers for around two decades.
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An NGO named Pramukh Parivaar Foundation has helped in the revival of this art which is four centuries old. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's motto of 'Vocal for Local' inspired the NGO to bring this ages-old art back to life. This will not only put this art form before the newer generation, but also provide some much-needed employment.
Nital Gandhi, the president of Pramukh Parivaar Foundation said, "These firecrackers are 100 per cent indigenous. Kothis are made out of clay. A potter made them using clay. Chakri is made out of paper and bamboo. Our aim is to provide as much employment to the local artists. These are eco-friendly. They dissolve after being used. Also, they are safe for children. Anyone can use these firecrackers. Our theme is 'Vocal for Local'."
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The craftsman named Raman Prajapati credited the NGO for making him produce Kothis once again and said that they were safe to an extent that one could burst them while keeping it in their hands.
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The craftsman named Raman Prajapati credited the NGO for making him produce Kothis once again and said that they were safe to an extent that one could burst them while keeping it in their hands.
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"It is a 400-year-old way of making crackers. Older people used to make Kothis. 20 years back I stopped because it was not profitable. But then Nital bhai arrived and I showed him samples of a few Kothis. Then I arranged 2 tractors worth of clay and made them. I got to earn during this Diwali. We can make 1-5 lakh Kothis," he added.
Krishna Priya Pallavi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience, covering health, fashion, pop culture, travel, wellness, entertainment, festivals, mental health, art, decor, fitness, and sex and relationships. She is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. Her strong academic foundation informs her analytical and detail-oriented approach to storytelling, helping her uncover stories where none seem to exist. Before joining Hindustan Times, Pallavi worked with some of India’s leading media organisations. She spent close to three years at India Today, where she honed her newsroom skills and developed a sharp editorial sensibility. She also worked for over a year and a half at Vagabomb, ScoopWhoop’s feminist digital platform, where she explored stories through a gender-sensitive, socially aware lens. Pallavi has a deep interest in global fashion trends and international fashion seasons, and enjoys interviewing celebrities and tracking pop culture movements—interests that frequently translate into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Alongside lifestyle and entertainment, she has a keen eye for impactful health and wellness journalism, regularly interacting with doctors, designers, and digital content creators to bring nuance and credibility to her work. Born and raised in Haryana, Pallavi remains deeply connected to her ancestral roots in Odisha. Her ability to spot fresh angles brings curiosity and depth to stories she pursues. When not chasing deadlines, she enjoys spending time with her dog, planning her next vacation, reading, running new trails, and discovering new destinations.
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