Celebrating 50 Years of Pottery: Dinesh Kumar's Journey in Rangamatty
A Milestone in Pottery Craft
Dinesh Kumar completes golden jubilee in pottery work
Rangamatty (Dergaon), Oct 8: Dinesh Kumar, aged 59, from Rangamatty in Golaghat district, is set to celebrate 50 years in the pottery business this Diwali.
His journey began at the tender age of nine when he started assisting his father, the late Madhrai Kumar. Although his father hailed from Bihar, Dinesh was born in Rangamatty and developed a passion for pottery early on, eventually turning it into his profession.
Living in a small hut along NH-37 in Rangamatty, Dinesh has pursued his craft with unwavering dedication. He shared that his grandfather, the late Dukhi Kumar, brought the family to Assam 80 years ago, and they have since been involved in this traditional industry, relying on it for their livelihood.
Despite having a peak season, Dinesh noted that pottery items such as clay diyas, mugs, bowls, plates, teapots, and pitchers remain popular year-round.
In an interview, Dinesh expressed concern over the impact of external suppliers on local businesses. He stated, “The influx of Chinese products, including electric light sets and other inferior items, poses a significant threat to our cottage industry.”
He also pointed out that the rising cost of mustard oil has led to a decline in the use of earthen lamps during Diwali, adversely affecting the sales of clay diyas.
“I hope organizations focused on environmental issues will promote the importance and benefits of using earthen lamps during Diwali,” he appealed. Additionally, he called on the government to extend financial support to the pottery sector to ensure the survival of artisans like himself.