PATACHARKUCHI, Jan 5 - With Bhogali Bihu knocking at the doors, earthenware sellers have arrived at Helona, about seven kms from here with five boats loaded with various earthenwares. They reached their destination after travelling on boats for three three from Barpeta despite the chilly weather.
It is good time for them as people purchase various earthenwares in the rural areas especially in lieu of rice. As the harvesting time has just got over, rice is available in the homes of most farmers. Most of the time people buy these items by exchanging them with rice and there is hardly any exchange of money.The potters have been coming to Helona since a long time back through the Kaldia river. The carry their products to the doorsteps of the people. This time a team of fifteen has come to the place popularly known as Helona ghat. For a fortnight the river bank is their shelter. They stay and eat there and throughout the day they sell their products in places like Helana Bongaon, Bhaluki, Balipara Koch Diga, Balipara Khana, Rampur, Upornoi, Jalikhata, Oukuchi Nizsariha, Dharamtala, Bamunkuchi, Tihu, Kanimara Makhibaha etc.
The team leader Narayan Das told this correspondent that earthenware is still in great demand in the State and people of the area purchase their products without fail. Even at a time when various companies have introduced various kitchenware products, demand for earthenwares has not diminished in the area. He said that he for the first came at the age of 12 with his father as a helper and now he is 45 years old and he leads a team for selling these earthenwares. He said that besides products of his own family members, he purchases the earthenwares from his neighbours and sells them for his livelihood. This year they have brought more than 10000 items and are confident of selling everything before the targeted time.
