In Tamil Nadu's Villupuram, 6 Women Groups Make Fancy Diyas For Karthika Deepam

According to Indian history, Karthigai Deepam, also known as Karthika Deepam, is one of the oldest celebrations that has been observed for aeons. It is devoted to the infiniteness of the Almighty and represents the festival of lights observed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and some Andhra Pradesh regions.

According to the Indian calendar, Karthika Deepam is observed on the day of the full moon in the Tamil month of Karttikai. Starting on Diwali, the celebration originally lasted for a month. The Gregorian calendar indicates that it takes place in November and December. This year it will be celebrated on November 26.

While most of South India is already preparing for the festivities, 6 women’s organisations in the Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu are working hard to produce the diyas or lamps used to lighten up temples on the occasion. These are not traditional diyas but a lamp enclosed by earthenware prepared especially for the occasion.

in Villupuram district’s Thennamadevi Village Panchayat, 6 women’s groups namely Kalaimas Suduman Sculpture Group, Sembaruthi Women’s Group, Vivilya Women’s Group, Anna Women’s Group, Sri Kaliamman Women’s Group and Abdul Kalam Women’s Group are making these lamps. 120 women are employed in the job. All these women have been trained in the pottery industry under a special project. The women have spoken about the nine steps undertaken to prepare these lamps.

Clay is first taken out of the lake, ground with sand, and then delivered to a mill where it is ground stone-free. The first step involves placing the ready soil into the machine and flattening and softening it. The lamps are made in many forms using the soft soil that has been prepared in the second stage. The lamps can be started to be glued differently in the fourth step. These are then heated on fire for four to five hours in the next step.

All steaming lamps are gently rubbed with scratch paper. They are then painted to add aesthetics. All the lamps that are painted are then sent to the ladies to put designs in different hand colours. They are then designed and ready to be sent to the customers beautifully packed without any damage.