Post-Covid, every artisan and the small trader is struggling to make both ends meet. A few may be an exception, like the nurseries selling indoor and outdoor plants and potters. With the abundant availability of clayey soil in Bengal, red flowerpots made of burnt clay has always been cheaply available all year round. A few places, like Saradapally, a potters village in North 24-Parganas thrives by making such mud pots during most of the year and oil lamps during the festive seasons.
Striking colour and glamour to flowerpots came in later when ceramic pots in dazzling colours and shapes arrived in Kolkata from Rajasthan about two decades ago. The raw material for such ceramicware was plentily available in many places in the northern state of India, with provinces having their touch of unique style and colours. A few were limited to blue on white flower motifs, like the Chinese porcelain, and a few others were with all hues and shades.
Ram is one of the earliest Rajasthani traders in ceramic pottery, having his shop near the GST Bhavan, on the Rash Behari connector. His sprawling shop, about a hundred meters long, is on the pavement, which keeps shifting by a few meters back and forth, making way for the construction of the buildings in the vicinity. “The road here was cutcha when I set my shop,” reminisces Ram. There were fewer vehicles and a lesser number of people. The scenario has all changed, but such is the change all over India, he laments.
His shop cannot afford any regular rental in a showroom, big or small. His wares are weather-resistant, unperishable by rain or sun. Therefore, he will always move his shop up or down and keep shifting as the Banjaras do. He is happy that Covid has prompted many health-conscious persons to keep plants around their homes. Many nurseries have sprouted opposite the Boat-Bazar near Patuli. “Most nursery owners depend on me for the flowerpots, for I am the cheapest and give value for money,” he says with confidence.
During my visit to the Howrah stretch of Bombay Road two weeks ago, I had bought a few ceramic flowerpots. I again bought a few ceramic pots last Sunday at Patuli. Today, I picked up a dozen ceramic flowerpots for my home from Ram. I can safely vouch that he was the cheapest and the best of the three.
“Please, sir, tell your friends and acquaintances to patronize small traders like me,” he pleaded. The high cost of freight (due to fuel price increase) is hurting their business. The lockdown period has hampered his sales. I promised to do that right away and hence this post.
Do dropdown while you are passing the northern flank of the Rash Behari connector to the Ruby crossing near the GST Bhavan. You cannot miss Ram and his colourful flowerpots.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
