In the bustling town of Ranapur, the roads lead to Kumbhar Mohalla, a neighbourhood characterised by the rows of handmade pottery in front of the houses. But deeper into the narrow lanes, the vibrant facade begins to fade. Some houses that once echoed with the rhythmic sounds of potters at work now stand silently, their doors firmly locked. This stark contrast tells the story of the once thriving pottery industry that is slowly disappearing despite its rich heritage. In many houses, the rows of pots have now been replaced by tailoring machines.

This is not just the story of Ranapur, but a common reality in many towns in Alirajpur and Jhabua districts of Madhya Pradesh. In these districts, which border Gujarat, pottery has long been a cultural cornerstone. The Bhil adivasis who inhabit these regions and the adjoining areas have traditionally relied on earthenware for their daily lives and religious practices. The Prajapati community, who live in villages surrounding the Bhils, have carried on the craft of pottery.

In the past, these artisans traded their handcrafted earthenware products – pots, cutlery, clay bottles and more – for food and other essentials made by the Adivasi community. But for most families, pottery is an extremely difficult livelihood in the face of climate change, economic constraints and an increasing influx of machine-made earthenware products.

Increasing heat and decreasing interest

The summer months, traditionally the best time for pottery making, have become unbearably hot. India experienced deadly high temperatures this summer.

The production of pottery essentially involves seven production steps: clay extraction, clay preparation, pottery making, sun drying, dyeing, firing and selling. Five of these steps are expected to be carried out in the sun.

Nanuji Prajapati (36), a potter from Alirajpur village in Borjhad, explains: “Working under the scorching sun becomes unbearable. On an average, we spend seven to eight hours in the sun during peak season. The intense heat not only affects our health but also the quality of the pots.”

“For the clay to retain its strength, an optimum temperature is required. Accordingly, we mix the clay with water. However, since new temperature records are set every day, it is difficult to estimate the mixture of clay and water, which often makes the finished products brittle,” he added.

Nanuji started making earthenware at the age of 12 after his father suffered a stroke. However, he does not want his son to take over this work after him. “My father did not want me to do this, but I had no choice. My son, on the other hand, has a choice. I do not want him to sweat so much in the sun and not even earn enough to support a family,” he added.

The monsoon season further affects production, and workshops often have to close due to the humidity and rain. “When the monsoon comes, we can no longer dry our pots outside or fire them in the kilns. But now the rains are either late or unseasonal, which makes the work even more difficult,” says Jayantibai Prajapati (40) from Ranapur.

“We often overlook the impact of climate change on rural areas, where livelihoods are increasingly at risk. In villages with pottery communities, families traditionally create an ecosystem centered on earthenware production. However, changing climatic conditions and centralization of markets have greatly impacted the types of earthenware available. The entire process of making earthenware relies heavily on natural raw materials, making the impact of climate change undeniable. Water scarcity, unseasonal rainfall and rising temperatures disrupt critical steps like soaking and drying the clay. These disruptions can cause cracks in the clay, making the process more difficult for the artisans. As a result, many in the pottery community are finding it increasingly difficult to continue their traditional craft, prompting some to migrate or switch to other forms of work,” said Munna Jha, head of state climate change division of Asar Social Impact Advisors.

Higher input costs

The main raw materials for earthenware are clay and water. The clay is typically sourced from nearby villages and open agricultural fields within a 30-kilometer radius.

Although the quality of soil for agricultural purposes has declined over the years, experts say it is still suitable for making earthenware. However, despite its availability, the cost of clay has increased.

In the past, the potters had to rely on donkeys to transport the clay. The donkeys were bought from markets in Ujjain, about 150 kilometers away. However, donkeys are no longer sold in these markets. Although some families still own donkeys, most now have to hire tractors to cover the 30-kilometer journey to the clay. Each trip costs between 1,500 and 2,500 rupees, depending on availability.

About 200 pots are made from the amount of clay brought in a single trip, with prices varying from Rs 200 to sometimes as little as Rs 50. Apart from this, the potters also require other raw materials such as wood, which costs them Rs 500 per quintal, and quilts, which they buy from Modasa in the neighbouring state of Gujarat.

“It is estimated that Rs 1.5-200,000 is spent on raw materials every year. We hardly make any profit even if we sell all our products,” says Sabur Prajapati (50), a resident of Ranapur. Of his three brothers, he is the only one who still practices the traditional craft, while his brothers have opted for other work.

“I wanted to preserve my father’s legacy. But if it is not enough to feed our family, how will we sustain it? My brothers have opted for better-paying and secure jobs. My sons, who are now finishing school, will also study and apply for government jobs. I have not taught them pottery skills and do not plan to do so in the future,” he added.

Like Sabur’s family, many others have closed their pottery workshops completely or partially and moved on to more profitable activities, such as tailoring or opening brick kilns.

Machine-made earthenware, low incentives

In the current age of globalization, low-cost, machine-made goods dominate markets once served by traditional household industries.

Even in these areas, some have started opting for machine-made earthenware produced in parts of Gujarat. The affordable mechanized products of the organized sector have become the biggest threat to the unorganized pottery industry.

“I sell both types of products, but the machine-made goods are cheaper for us and can be sold at better prices without any effort on our part. I have restricted handmade earthenware to custom-made items. I plan to close my workshop soon as no one is willing to learn or continue the craft after me,” said Anil Prajapati (42) from Meghnagar in Jhabua.

However, there is also a section that is trying to keep the tradition alive. “If you look at the earthenware available in the market, the cost is very high. However, the profit does not reach the artisans in the same way and the main reason for this is the lack of awareness among the consumers themselves. As more people know how to care for earthenware and use it properly, they will start buying directly from the potters,” said Jaya Jain, founder of the Mahuabaan Folk Foundation, which works to preserve earth-based folk art and connects the artisans with urban consumers.

According to experts, the livelihoods of rural areas are further threatened by the lack of cooperative societies for pottery communities and government incentives.

“Currently, there is a limited market for earthenware, which buys it only for its aesthetic value. In the absence of a proper local market, the cost usually goes up. For the potters, each raw material is sourced from a different place, which further pushes up the cost. To address this problem and save the livelihoods of the rural population, the government should step in and provide some kind of subsidy to help them break even,” said Rahul Banerjee, an environmental activist who has been working specifically for the livelihoods, ecology and preservation of cultural knowledge of the communities living in these districts for two decades.

Banner image: A woman decorates pots for sale in Ranapur village. Image by Aishwarya Mohanty for Mongabay.