Lighting up your Diwali: See these potters keep the art of making diyas alive

An Indian potter makes earthen lamps or ‘diyas’ ahead of the forthcoming Diwali festival in New Delhi, on Thursday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

Updated on: Oct 22, 2016 6:58 PM IST

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Published on Oct 22, 2016 6:58 PM

An Indian potter makes earthen lamps or ‘diyas’ ahead of the forthcoming Diwali festival in New Delhi, on Thursday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

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Published on Oct 22, 2016 6:58 PM

On the day of Diwali, these earthen pots are filled with ghee or oil. A cotton bud dipped in oil is placed in the diya and lit. (Burhaan Kinu/HT PHOTO)

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At Delhi’s Kumhar Colony in Uttam Nagar, Seema, a Class 8 student , pounds clay which will eventually be moulded into diyas. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

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Published on Oct 22, 2016 6:58 PM

Diwali, celebrated this year on October 30, marks the victory of good over evil and commemorates the time when Hindu God Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana and returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

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Legend says that the people of Ayodhya lit lamps or diyas to welcome Ram . The tradition continues till today and houses are decked up with diyas and lights on Diwali. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

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Though wax candles and electric lights have outdone the earthen lamps in illuminating homes on Diwali, many potters’ families are still keeping the tradition alive hoping that these will make a comeback. (Burhaan Kinu/HT PHOTO)

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Wet clay is moulded in the expert hands of the potters, many of whom have learnt the craft from their forefathers. (Sunil Ghosh / HT PHOTO)

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After being shaped, the wet diyas are set aside to dry. (Sunil Ghosh / HT PHOTO)

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As the demand spikes during Diwali, potters churn out more diyas. Roadside stalls crop up in many markets just selling diyas and candles. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

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A festive touch is added to the lamps. Diyas are dipped in paint at Kumartuli in North Kolkata. (Subhendu Ghosh / Ht Photo)

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The coloured diyas are painted at Dakshindari in North Kolkata. (Subhendu Ghosh / HT PHOTO)

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Intricate drawings are used to deck up the ‘diyas’. Potters strive to keep tradition of making and decorating earthen lamps alive. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)