As the need for products created from clay continues to drop in the modern day, traditional pottery in Odisha is experiencing a serious fall. The craft, which was once a prosperous source of revenue, is now an uncertain source of income for many families that are trying to maintain their traditional trade.
Concerns about the survival of this historic activity are raised by the fact that potters, who once made a modest living, particularly during holidays like Diwali, are now struggling with declining orders and waning interest in earthenware.


Thirteen households still make their living from pottery in Khadikajodi village, which is located in the Korukonda block of Malkangiri district. They produce clay toys, water jars, pitchers, pots, clay lamps, and tiny containers. However, their financial circumstances have gotten worse as the demand for earthen goods keeps declining.Our ancestors engaged in this activity, but it is now challenging to gather clay and other materials, according to one of the artisans. The income is insufficient to cover everyday costs. Since many people are moving to Andhra Pradesh in search of employment, I am unsure if our children will continue in this line of work.
Keonjhar's Potter's Wheels Are Halted by Modernisation
In the past, pottery flourished in almost every home in Anseikala village, which is located in the Joda block of Keonjhar district. Few potters still work today, and the majority have shifted to other occupations as the demand for traditional wares declines due to modernity.
We only work on orders now," said another craftsman. We could maintain our trade and educate our children if the government offered some assistance.The tale is the same throughout Odisha; the potter's wheel, which once represented custom and independence, now barely rotates sporadically as the craftspeople look for assistance to bring their dying art back to life.