Traditional clay artisans in Adhiyamankottai, near Dharmapuri, have made a heartfelt plea to the district administration, requesting a dedicated warehouse to store their clay and handcrafted statues, which are vulnerable to damage during unpredictable weather.
Around fifty artisans in the region are engaged in producing clay Vinayagar statues, golu bommais, and other earthenware. However, due to the lack of proper storage, much of their clay—sourced from lakes 10 to 15 km away—is exposed to the elements and often washed away during unseasonal rain, especially in the monsoon.
S. Vinayagam, who has practiced the craft for 19 years, said, “Our products are eco-friendly and painted with natural, water-soluble colors. But storing clay outside puts us at constant risk. During rains, we lose valuable material and can’t even transport more clay due to poor access and cost.”
He noted that ox carts are used to bring in clay, costing around ₹1,500 per load. With business declining, even small losses hurt deeply.
Another artisan, K. Ganeshan, added, “We create statues ranging from 2 to 20 feet. These can’t be stored at home, so we leave them outside, covered with plastic. But rain still damages them. We urgently need land to build a shared warehouse and work area.”
He emphasized that without a proper space, their furnaces cannot operate during the rainy season, halting production and increasing losses.
Officials have assured that they are reviewing the request and will consider appropriate action.