In Photos: Behind Your Diwali Scenes, The ‘Diya’ Makers of Delhi

A Photo Essay on ‘diya’ makers of Delhi who help light up your Diwali.

A woman potter painting diyas for the upcoming diwali festival.

(Danish Qazi/The Quint)

When Lord Ram returned after 14 years of vanvaas, Ayodhya residents lighted 'diyas' to celebrate his homecoming. Now 'diyas' are synonymous with Diwali. These traditional earthen lamps, sold as low as three rupees a piece, are built by craftsmen who are passionate about this. Though, a few challenges remain in the survival, both of their livelihood, as well as the craft.

This is the story of Potters Colony in west Delhi's Uttam Nagar. Here, the diya makers have their hopes flickering in the light of rising costs, competition from Chinese crackers, and a few legal tussles regarding their kilns.

A potter making vessel on a spinning wheel.(Danish Qazi/The Quint)

The potters work in cramped spaces, with no proper air circulation. Most of the times, their houses double up as the workshop. This is the reason why most of the kids don't want to live in this place.

But there's a conflict of ideas. The senior potters, with established setups, would like their children to pick up pottery as their profession. The tradition must continue, they feel. But will this idea spark the imagination of the next generation? That remains to be seen.

Outside view of the potter’s house. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

Hands of a potter whose hands got burned in furnace some 13 years back. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

Har Kishan Prajapati, who is well-known for his glazed tiles and pottery work in Potter’s Colony, busy woking in his workshop. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

Children studying while their parents are busy making pottery.  (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

Potter’s wife busy collecting diyas in her house. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

Mishri Devi looking at the photograph of her husband, who died seven years ago. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

A potter, Hari Lal busy making a flower pot. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

Hands of Bina who is preparing mud for pottery.  (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

Outside view of a Potter’s house. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

Senior potter, Kishan Lal Prajapti (76) and her wife Angori Devi talking to each other. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

Inside the pottery workshop. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

A girl running away from the camera down a lane at potter’s colony. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

Sikandar, 13-year-old pottery painter carrying an earthen vessel in his hand.  (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

A woman potter painting diyas for the upcoming Diwali festival.(Danish Qazi/The Quint)

A potter Ramu Prajapti, working at his workshop. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

Newly made diyas drying in the sun before getting burned. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

A potter, Swasti Devi painting diyas. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

Deepak, a 7-year-old kid of a potter talking to his sister . (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

An old lady on road can be seen looking at Ramu Prajapat’s courtyard. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

Pottery painters inside their workshop.  (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

Children taking out broken vessels from their house. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

A lady throwing out the broken pottery. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

A child saying no to the camera. (Danish Qazi/The Quint)

(Text by : Aaqib Raza Khan)