Azamgarh’s Muslim artisans shape diyas and idols for Diwali

With Diwali on 8 November, workshops in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, are busy finishing diyas, decorative lamps and festive items. Most of the artisans doing this work are Muslims, according to a report published on 2 November.

The district is known for Nizamabad black pottery, with its dark surface and silver-coloured patterns. The craft got a Geographical Indication tag in 2015 and is Azamgarh’s One District One Product. The district’s export plan notes that artisans here make idols of Lakshmi, Ganesha, Shiva, Durga and Saraswati, mainly for fairs and festivals.

Diwali is the busiest and most important earning season for these families. The work is slow and one mistake can spoil a whole batch. Rising raw material costs have pushed some potters towards ordinary red clay diyas, but the festive orders keep them going. It is a lot like the Udhampur potter family making thousands of Diwali diyas: the maker and the buyer may pray differently, but they share the same festival.