VISAKHAPATNAM: The demand for earthen pots is on the rise in the city with summer setting in early. The temperature has been hovering around 37 to 38 degrees Celsius for the last few days. Despite refrigerators, Vizagites are opting to go green by going in for the clay pots. The tap facility for the pots is another advantage and customers seem to prefer it.
With prices ranging from Rs 30 to Rs 250, these clay pots come in various shapes, sizes and designs. The customers choose their pick as per need and capacity. A 15-litre pot with a tap is being sold at Rs 250, while the 12-litre and 15-litre ones cost Rs 200 and Rs 250, are in maximum demand, say the shopkeepers.
“The tap facility is being preferred as some feel it unhygienic to dip fingers or a glass in the pot to take water,” said MVV Satyanarayana Murthy, an earthen pot seller near Turner’s Choultry.
People feel that the pots, when not in use, can also be used as containers, utensils to serve dishes and designer pots for interior decorations.
“Small clay pots costing Rs 50, Rs 80 and Rs 100 are being used as decorative items in our common room. We can use them in summer and later we can use them for decoration,” said N Sushma, a resident of One Town.
Despite having refrigerators, many prefer earthen pots.
“Even though we have refrigerators, water from earthen pots is fresh and healthy. We used to have them in our childhood and that’s what I want to convey to my children too,” said homemaker Potnuru Seethamahalakshmi, a resident of Resuvanipalem.
Further, the marriage season is fuelling the demand for pots and other utensils made up of clay.
Potters Becoming a Vanishing Tribe
Even as the demand for earthen pots is growing, it is seasonal. Shopkeepers say the production has declined in the last few years due to non-availability of quality clay and potters leaving the profession. “We generally get pots from Parwada and Anakapalle. According to potters there, the income is low and their children now take to other business activities. There are not many potters left as they do not get work all through the year,” said Nagaraju, a pot vendor.