In Pictures

In Pictures: Reinventing Diwali traditions

Potters in India are struggling against Chinese competition during Diwali, the festival of lights.

Ravi Barava, 38, shows cheap imported lamps from China which according to him has replaced traditional earthen lamps.

23 Oct 2014

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is the biggest festival celebrated by Indians across the world. People from all walks of life decorate their homes with diyas (earthen lamps) and candles.

The festival has witnessed a boom in imported plastic products from China which are flooding the Indian market.

The influx of these products made of plastic, popularly termed as “Chinese”, are being sold everywhere. Many say that these products are affecting the livelihood of potters who have been associated with the craft of producing earthen lamps for generations.

Al Jazeera spoke to the artisans and their customers to hear their views on the invasion of these new products in the market and the challenge that they are trying to overcome.

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People are buying cheap imported plastic items for Diwali at a local market in Delhi.

Darmo Devi, 71, who has been selling earthen lamps for the last 25 years, says that people these days prefer plastic items.

Mohan Prajapati, 45, said, "There is no decline in the demand of the clay lamps, but the competition has increased because of plastic products."

Wax-filled decorated clay lamps arranged in the market.

Dr. Gupta is buying earthen lamps from a road side shop in Delhi. She said “Anyone who has a bit of religious knowledge will never buy plastic items on Diwali, this is a pavitra (auspicious ) day so we should use only shuddh (pure) things on this occasion.”

Savitri Devi, 60, is selling a variety of lamps and idols made up of clay as well as plastic. "I am selling things made of clay and plastic because some people prefer clay and some are happy with plastic items," Devi said.

An artisan paints an earthen lamp before Diwali.

Baldev, 80, said," I was born in clay and I have spent my whole life in clay, I don’t think this trade has declined, for me it is increasing day by day."

Kajal,12, and Priya, 13, decorate clay lamps. Children of the potters help their respective family on the occasion of Diwali in view of the increasing demand.

Sunita, 32 , selling decoration items made of clay.

“The time is changing and people are again preferring items made up of clay," 61-year-old Rajesh Muku, who is an architect, said.

Manish, 9, applying colour to the clay lamps.

Janki Devi, 78, and her family have been selling decorations and lamps made from clay for the last several decades.

Diwali is also known as the festival of lights. Those who celebrate this festival decorate their homes not only with diyas (traditional clay lamps) but also with candles and other lights.