Traditional Earthen Lamps Lose Their Shine Amid Diwali’s Growing Obsession with Decorative Lights

With Diwali approaching, households across the region have begun preparations to deck up their homes for the festival of lights. Traditionally, earthen lamps were the centrepiece of the celebrations, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness. However, changing trends in festive decoration have gradually pushed these traditional diyas into the background, with decorative electric and electronic lights increasingly taking their place. The growing popularity of modern lighting has consequently reduced the demand for earthen lamps made by potters.

In earlier years, potters would remain busy producing earthen lamps in the run-up to Diwali, as festive demand provided them with a significant source of seasonal income. But the rising preference for electric lights has affected the market for traditional diyas, directly impacting the livelihood and earnings of pottery artisans.

For generations, these craftsmen have depended on the traditional art of pottery. With their handmade lamps steadily losing ground to modern alternatives, sustaining their age-old craft has become an increasingly difficult challenge, even during the festival that once brought them their busiest season.