Mohammed Umar Kumar, a 27 year old commerce graduate who is a resident of Nishat on the outskirts of Srinagar has been working tirelessly and passionately to complete his order of 20,000 lamps. He said “ As the auspicious occasion is approaching I have started working day and night to meet the deadline of 20,000 clay lamps order received from a reputable firm”. When asked about the orders he said “ Last year we received the order of 16,000 earthen lamps which was our highest. This year we received an order of 20,000”.
Reflecting on the economic significance of Diwali Umar says “ When Diwali comes we are happy because we get employment as well “.
With passing of time pottery has become a fading artistry but Umar has big dreams for it. He is making every effort to give it a new life and bring it to par with the modern times. Umar believes if art forms in Kashmir are revived the problem of unemployment will cease to exist automatically. After completing his graduation, Umar took the decision of joining his family business, learning the craft from his father.
“ Pottery is our family tradition. My grandfather and father also work in pottery. I learned pottery from my father. After completing B.Com, I decided to take forward my family tradition and revive this art which is on the decline in Kashmir”, he said.
This tradition of making earthen lamps for Diwali reflects the meaning for communal harmony. Diwali is a festival of light. It is a festival to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness , knowledge over ignorance and good over evil.
