Women potters in Manipur struggle to keep traditional art alive

pur), Oct 5 (ANIWomen potters in Manipur are struggling to keep alive the traditional craft of coil pottery, the main source of their meagre income.

By L C K Singh

Longpi Kachai (Manipur), Oct 5 : Women potters in Manipur are struggling to keep alive the traditional craft of coil pottery, the main source of their meagre income.

The coiled pottery is a type of pottery made from the natural clay. It is cleaned and shaped by hand, without the use of a potter's wheel. They are polished using smooth stones and painted with vegetable and clay slips before being fired under piles of sheep manure or pinion wood.

The specialty of these pots is that the pot retains heat for a longer period even after removing from fire.

Longpi Kachui village of Ukhrul district has in fact been famous for its pottery.

For these women, it is their only viable option that is helping them to run their home.

We earn barely Rs. 100 per day and in a month we make around Rs. 2000 We are leading a very hard life. I sell these things in Manipur because I cannot afford to travel out. Since agriculture is not possible, this is a better option," said Ningthungla, a woman potter.

Even young girls in the village have turned to coiled pottery as a means of livelihood.

Shinmila, a potter Said , "Since there are no schools to study and in order to live, we have to opt for coiled pottery making. From this meagre income we earn, we are able to sustain our livelihood."

The Manipur potters employ coiled methods to make pots and do not use the customary wheels preferred by several potters in the rest of the country.

The north-eastern region is going through a phase of economic transformation and women's empowerment.

ANI