Kumhaar, The Pottery maker …
Video Directed by Sohail Asim
A journey to hardships, love and believe….
A place for the selfless and humble and those who believes in the beauty of love work and happiness. From a distance of about 30km from Karachi Cant station, lies a place for Kumhaars.
Kumhaars have mastered the art of pottery making from time immemorial. Be it Gamle (mud pots), Gulaq (money box), or Gharre (water barrels), they can shape mud into any shape desired.
Computers, designers, or any other technology cannot surpass the abilities that a Kumhaar possesses in his hands. A tiring and fatiguing job even when computerized.
Centuries old artisans to mold mud into anything with bare hands, has created many questions upon human abilities.
The beautifully prepared mud pots are then sold at many countries abroad.
To create beautiful relics, soft mud is made by kneading mud and is then placed on the top of the rotating machine.
With merely human hands, feet and a simple machine the most astounding artifacts are created.
This beauty of artisan out-drains the capacities of an emerging technology.
The perfect balance of the amount of pressure placed on the revolving mud piece by hands is what matters the most.
These untiring yet fragile hands carry a magical power that they create such beautiful and inspiring products.
With a blink of an eye, they create the unbelievable. One wonders the very fact that is it their brains or hearts that brings about the inner creativity to be noticed.
Indulged in his laborious job, we questioned a Kumhaar how he feels while doing this job?
Kumhaar: This is my profession. I get profit, I get earnings, and I love it a lot. I can do some other work; the other works would not be that difficult. But I say that this is my profession and I am used to it now. I will only do this work. When there is love only then this could be made. It there is no love then even the heart breaks. I can do other work but I like this one.
Another Kumhaar busy with his tedious work was asked that what is that unique ability that makes him create such beautiful mud pieces?
Kumhaar: I do not have anything in my hands. Allah has given power in this. Power, love and mind have a lot to do with this work.
Kumhaar was asked as to how he creates exactly a look alike of anything given on a picture?
He splendidly answered:
Kumhaar: Allah has given me mind, sharp enough to create a look alike of whatever mud pieces I see.
After the basic shape is given to mud it is left in the scorching sun to dry for three days. Later it is placed inside a hot furnace, whose fuel is trash and garbage.
This also is a generation’s old formula carried by the Kumhaars; in this method neither electricity nor any sort of atomic fuel is used.
While creating these magnificent mud pieces the mud should be made able to be used as favored. For the sole purpose it goes through certain processes. After that it is knead and placed on the chaak, through which the base of the Ghara is shaped. When it is a little dry its base is again placed on the chaak to finish with its head. For the tap, a small pipe is used inserted for the hole.
After three days of continuous heat, the merchandise is send into the furnace.
After witnessing this marvelous skill the Kumhaar was asked as to long does it takes to learn this art?
Kumhaar: It does not take long, if a young person wants to learn, then at most it would take a year. Where as if an adult like us with mind and soul, wants to learn, then in six months time he will be able to mold and control mud with his hands.
Curiosity further boosted and we inquired that after all this hard-work, how much can a Kumhaar earn?
A puzzling reply was:
Kumhaar: Yeah, around three to four hundred rupees per day, what else, what can one do? But yes, the talent would be one’s own and that where ever he worked, he worked as he wished.
When we inquired about their problems the Kumhaar said:
Kumhaar: When we need more mud we tell this to the government officer. Then from Clifton, we bring in the mud in the morning; by night the sea fills back the trench. When we go to get reth (beach sand), the police bothers us. We give bribe so that they do not bother us. Look at this trash; this is useless around the whole world. People throws it away and even gives money to get rid of it. But on the other hand, we give Rs.300/- to get it here from the KMC. We burn out the trash into ashes. So, after all this we do not save much. But we know this skill that is why we are sitting in front of our house and earning.
While watching the Kumhaars doing their work with zeal and zest, we noticed a young lad who was also practicing this. He was making little gulaqs for kids with laborious skill.
We asked him how he finds this work.
Kumhaar: I like this work very much.
We asked about his studies.
Kumhaar: I have studied a little because with education you do not find any work. Even the literate carries a file around. That is why I have started this work. But my father was very upset at first due to this. But now he is happy with this work too, because I earn. And I love this work.
This inspiring ambitious boy was questioned about his future.
Kumhaar: Well Inshallah, in the future I will continue with this work. After saving cash I will open up my own furnace. Right now I am doing a job here.
Our eyes moved towards a group of two Kumhaars who were displaying spectacular team work.
The two Kumhaars were using a centuries old technique to make a gumla. In this method the duct was made to revolve using a stick and not feet.
In this method one of the Kumhaar is supposed to make equally weighed mud heaves, and also to spin the duct at a particular speed. The other Kumhaar uses his intelligently gives it shape of the gumla (pot) and then takes it away placing it in the sun. On his return, he finds another mud heave on the spinning duct by the first Kumhaar.
The most interesting thing is that, this team work produces around three to four hundred pots per day.
The dismissive feeling of neglecting such tremendous talents, have been prevailing in our country for more than enough now. Now is the time to look around, our nation has the best of best. With little efforts from both sides would make the ends meet one day.
A non-portrayal of mixed feelings of sorrows and joy at the same time is what would create a difference.
A salute for our Kumhaars may you be blessed and live long.
