Rajshahi pottery faces extinction
Pottery industry of Godagari upazila of Rajshahi is now facing a lot of problems.
On the one hand, the demand for pottery is declining, on the other hand potters are engaging in different occupations leaving their own occupation for their livelihood.
The demand for pottery is declining day by day due to technological development, new commodities, lack of friendly market for pottery, absence of patronage and the lack of soil worthy of pottery.
There was a huge demand for pottery in Godagari Upazila once. People used many pottery materials, plates, and pitchers made of soil. But now people are using utensils made of plastic, melamine, stainless steel, and other materials instead of pottery.
About 100 to 110 potter families lived in Godagari Upazilla. Today, more than half of families have left their ancestral occupation and went to other professions because of decline of pottery’s popularity.
Potter Ratan Chandrapal of Harishankarpur village of the upazila said, "I used to make various materials including pot, plates, flower tubs throughout the month. But for the development of plastics, melamine and stainless steel, we have left our profession and took other occupations for livelihood."
During a visit of Premtali Pal Para of the upazila, Potter Shitaram Paul said the pots made from soil are not sold anymore.
He said, to save the potteries, the government will have to come forward and help it through the arrangement of loan.
