Pottery Town Sinks with Every Rain: A Bengaluru Craft in Crisis and Deep Trouble for Existence
Image Source: Trodly
Pottery Town, inside Benson Town, is one of the oldest and most unique neighbourhoods in the city. Known for its clay art and the earthy smell of freshly moulded pots, this area has long been a centre for traditional craftsmanship and heritage. However, today, it tells a story of struggle and problems faced by the face of the town — the potters. With every passing monsoon, the potters here are faced with two major challenges like flooding caused by rain and lack of proper machinery.
As student visitors, we recently had the chance to walk through these narrow lanes and speak to the artisans. We were struck by the dedication of the people and the difficult conditions they work under.
Every year, when the rains hit Bengaluru, Pottery Town gets the worst of it. Located in a low-lying area, the entire locality starts to fill with water even after just a few hours of rain. The potters, who usually work in open spaces or semi-covered houses, have to suddenly rush to move their finished and unfinished pottery to safer and more closed spaces. Sometimes they carry wet, heavy pots into their homes or try to stack them on tables and shelves above the waterline. But it’s not always successful. Many pieces get damaged or destroyed in the process, and they mentioned that many pieces are even lost in the process.
Potters told us that they often lose a full day’s work whenever the rains come unexpectedly. There are no proper drains or waterproof shelters, so there’s little they can do to protect their workspaces. The muddy water mixes with clay and ruins both raw materials and final products, and as a result, they have to bear heavy losses.
One potter, who has been working here for more than 30 years, told us that he has to throw away nearly 10 to 15 pots each time it rains. The water makes the clay too soft, causes cracks during drying, and sometimes even collapses pieces that were nearly ready. “Rain has become our biggest enemy,” he said. “We keep checking the weather forecast, but Bengaluru weather is unpredictable. One moment it’s sunny, and the next it pours.”
What makes the situation worse is that these potters don’t have access to modern tools or machinery that could make their work easier or faster. Most of them still rely on manual methods of pottery like hand-turning wheels and sun-drying the pots. Machines like electric wheels, clay mixers, and drying ovens are either too expensive, not available nearby, and no help has been given by the government, as the potter stated.
Because of this, production is slow and inconsistent. In dry months, the potters manage to finish their orders, but during the rainy season, delays become normal as there is no proper place to store it or even a good climate for the pots to dry. Orders pile up, customers have to wait, and sometimes, clients cancel their orders altogether. Potters work longer hours just to catch up, often shaping clay late into the night using dim lights and their bare hands. Without machines, the quality of products can also vary, and this affects their sales in the competitive Bengaluru crafts market, as there are various potters living in the same locality.
Despite all these hardships, the spirit of the community remains strong. We saw neighbours helping each other carry pots during sudden downpours. Some families have made temporary solutions like plastic sheets and makeshift shelters using bamboo sticks. The potters take pride in their work, and many of them have learned the craft from their parents and grandparents. It’s a tradition they are determined to keep alive, even if the challenges grow each year.
As students, we were both inspired and saddened by our visit. Inspired by the skill and hard work we witnessed in every corner of Pottery Town, and saddened by the problems that seem simple on paper but make daily life extremely difficult for the people living there. The issues of rain flooding and machinery shortage are not just technical problems — they are deeply linked to the livelihood and dignity of hundreds of families and for a business or living that has been there since generations. These are artisans who keep a part of India’s cultural heritage alive, and yet they have to fight the weather and work with their bare hands just to stay in the public view.
There are some small steps that could make a big difference. Covering parts of the area with waterproof roofs, improving drainage systems, and creating a shared machinery centre could reduce the burden on individual potters. Even a basic clay mixer or a solar-powered dryer could save hours of work each day. If local authorities or craft organisations can step in with small funds or donations, it would go a long way in supporting the community.
In the end, Pottery Town is more than just a place where pots are made; it is, moreover, a symbol of culture, tradition, and resilience. But resilience should not be mistaken for acceptance. The people here do not want to just survive the rains or work without machines forever. They want to grow, improve, and pass on their skills to the next generation in better conditions. As visitors and students, we left with a deeper understanding of what lies behind a simple pot — a story of hard work, patience, and silent struggle against forces beyond their control.
About Authors: Gunishka Jain and Palak Mishra are second-year students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Media and Journalism from the Department of Media Studies, Christ University, Bangalore. Passionate about fieldwork and storytelling, they aim to highlight underreported issues affecting communities through immersive and impactful narratives.
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