Vadodara: A 400-year-old way of making firecrackers using clay is witnessing a small revival in Vadodara.
In Kumharwada, Fatehpur of Vadodara district, some craftsmen who have expertise in making firecrackers using clay, a variety of crackers known as Kothis. But then, Chinese firecrackers flooded the Indian markets, which stopped the production of these firecrackers for around two decades.
An NGO named Pramukh Parivaar Foundation has helped in the revival of this art which is four centuries old. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ motto inspired the NGO to bring this age-old art back to life. This will put this art form before the new generation and provide some much-needed employment.
Nital Gandhi, the president of Pramukh Parivaar Foundation, said, “These firecrackers are 100 per cent indigenous. Kothis are made out of clay. A potterer made them using clay. Chakri is made out of paper and bamboo. Our aim is to provide as much employment to the local artists. These are eco-friendly. They dissolve after being used. Also, they are safe for children. Anyone can use these firecrackers. Our theme is ‘Vocal for Local’.”
The craftsman named Raman Prajapati credited the NGO for making him produce Kothis once again and said that they were safe to the extent that one could burst them while keeping it in their hands.
“It is a 400-year-old way of making crackers. Older people used to make Kothis. 20 years back, I stopped because it was not profitable. But then Nital bhai arrived, and I showed him samples of a few Kothis. Then I arranged 2 tractors worth of clay and made them. I got to earn during this Diwali. We can make 1-5 lakh Kothis,” he added. (With inputs from ANI)
