Muhammad Asrar is a resident of Dalbori, a suburban village of Ogi tehsil of Mansehra district. They are potters and make pots out of clay.
Talking to Independent Urdu, he said that I have been associated with this profession for 30 years. Our forefathers also used to do this work from whom we have also inherited this profession. Now, along with Asrar Ahmed, his two sons also do this work.
“It is very difficult and laborious work,” he says. We first look for soil, which we usually get from the two neighboring towns of Kham Gali (Hamanu Gali) and Khairabad. And with the help of mules it is brought to the main road from where this soil is then brought home with the help of a tractor trolley.’
Mohammad Asrar explains that ‘here the soil is divided into two separate parts. One is very clean soil and the other is sandy or granular soil.’ He states that the purpose of separating them is that clean clay is used for making pottery while granular clay is used for making pans of various goods.
After that, the two piles of soil are mixed with water and a fine thread of wool and mixed well with hands and feet to form a slurry. Now this clay is ready to make pots.
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From this clay, using their art and experience, various forms of objects are made, ranging from fire-burning stoves to cooking utensils and ovens. These pots are dried in the sun, but wait, the work does not end here, these dry items are placed layer by layer in a chimney-like special place known as ‘avi’ in the local language, and a fire is lit around it. So that they become more sustainable. Now these items are fully cooked and ready to be sold.
Mohammad Asrar calls it art and craft and says, ‘We make them with great effort and also put flowers on these pots but despite all this effort, when our pots go to the market, there is no demand for them. .’
He explained the reason for this that ‘on the one hand, these vessels have been used since ancient times and their use is considered obsolete, and on the other hand, this vessel takes a lot of effort compared to steel, silver and other vessels, due to which it is relatively expensive. There are too.’
Regarding the daily income, he said that sometimes the work is very good and sometimes not at all, but still Muhammad Asrar is grateful to Allah Ta’ala.
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#Craftsman #Muhammad #Asrar #making #pottery #years
2024-09-06 06:25:15
The Art of Pottery: A Labor of Love for Muhammad Asrar and his Family
In the small village of Dalbori, nestled in the heart of Mansehra district, Pakistan, lives Muhammad Asrar, a skilled potter who has been carrying forward a family tradition of crafting beautiful pots out of clay for over 30 years. Along with his two sons, Asrar Ahmed, they work tirelessly to create functional and aesthetically pleasing pieces of art that are not only a testament to their skill but also a reflection of their cultural heritage.
A Legacy of Tradition
Muhammad Asrar’s journey as a potter began with his forefathers, who were also potters. He inherited this profession from them and has been perfecting his craft over the years. “It’s a very difficult and laborious work,” he says, explaining the intricate process of creating each piece. From sourcing the right type of soil from neighboring towns to mixing it with water and wool to create a workable clay, every step requires patience, skill, and dedication.
The Craft of Pottery
The process of creating these beautiful pieces of art is a labor-intensive one. Muhammad Asrar explains that the soil is divided into two separate parts – clean clay for pottery and sandy or granular clay for making pans of various goods. After mixing the soil with water and wool, the mixture is then shaped into various forms using their art and experience, ranging from fire-burning stoves to cooking utensils and ovens.
Drying and Firing
Once the pots are shaped, they are dried in the sun, but that’s not the end of the process. The dried items are then placed layer by layer in a chimney-like special place known as ‘avi’ in the local language, and a fire is lit around it to make them more sustainable. This firing process gives the pots their final form and makes them ready for sale.
A Decline in Demand
Despite the effort and care that goes into creating each piece, Muhammad Asrar faces a significant challenge – a decline in demand for his wares. “We make them with great effort and also put flowers on these pots, but despite all this effort, when our pots go to the market, there is no demand for them,” he laments. The main reasons for this decline, according to him, are the perception that traditional pottery is obsolete and the relatively high cost of production compared to modern materials like steel and silver.
A Labor of Love
Despite the challenges, Muhammad Asrar continues to practice his craft with passion and dedication. For him, it’s not just a means of livelihood but a way to preserve his cultural heritage and connect with his ancestors. “I love this work,” he says, “it’s a labor of love, and I will continue to do it as long as I can.”
Conclusion
Muhammad Asrar’s story is a testament to the importance of preserving traditional crafts and the role they play in keeping our cultural heritage alive. His dedication to his craft is an inspiration to us all, and his beautiful pots are a reminder of the beauty and value of handmade objects. As we navigate the world of mass-produced goods, it’s essential to appreciate and support artisans like Muhammad Asrar, who are keeping the art of pottery alive.
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Muhammad Asrar
pottery
traditional crafts
cultural heritage
Pakistan
Mansehra district
Dalbori village
handmade objects
artisans
Meta description:
Meet Muhammad Asrar, a skilled potter from Pakistan, who is preserving his cultural heritage through his traditional craft. Read his story and learn about the art of pottery and the challenges he faces in the modern market.
Header tags:
H1: The Art of Pottery: A Labor of Love for Muhammad Asrar and his Family
H2: A Legacy of Tradition
H2: The Craft of Pottery
H2: Drying and Firing
H2: A Decline in Demand
H2: A Labor of Love
H2: Conclusion
