MANGALURU: As the festival of lights is just around the corner and the artisans are also reportedly increasing the production of earthen diyas (diyas), a second year student of a private college in Moodbidri, is busy painting these earthen diyas to bring them alive.
Rakshasa R Pujari, a 23-year-old artist from Kaup in Udupi district, said he decided to paint and sell diyas not only for his education but also to help his younger brother, a diploma student.
He said, “Based on the response received last year, which was beyond expectation, I decided to paint diyas this Diwali as well. It all started last year, when I brought around 20 diyas from a supermarket, painted them. and presented them in an exhibition in Shirwa. At that time, I did not intend to sell them, but these diyas attracted the attention of some visitors to the exhibition who wanted to buy them. Each diya costs around Rs.20 and I charged an additional Rs 5 as fee for my painting. Then I bought another set of 25 diyas, which sold out immediately, and I slowly started getting orders. Last year, I finished painting around 2,000 diyas Of.”
Raksha is the daughter of physically challenged Ramesh Pujari and Sasikala Kotian, a grocery store worker.
“This initiative is helping me in my studies. This year also, I have received orders for over 1,500 diyas so far. Diyas painted in copper color are selling like hot cakes with an antique look. This time, I have also started painting diyas of different sizes and designs. Lotus designs are in good demand among the designs. Customers are liking the color combination. Since the demand is high, I was forced to buy an additional 1,000 lamps from Mumbai. When compared to plain diyas, I charge an extra Rs 10 for my work,” said Raksha.
Rakshasa R Pujari, a 23-year-old artist from Kaup in Udupi district, said he decided to paint and sell diyas not only for his education but also to help his younger brother, a diploma student.
He said, “Based on the response received last year, which was beyond expectation, I decided to paint diyas this Diwali as well. It all started last year, when I brought around 20 diyas from a supermarket, painted them. and presented them in an exhibition in Shirwa. At that time, I did not intend to sell them, but these diyas attracted the attention of some visitors to the exhibition who wanted to buy them. Each diya costs around Rs.20 and I charged an additional Rs 5 as fee for my painting. Then I bought another set of 25 diyas, which sold out immediately, and I slowly started getting orders. Last year, I finished painting around 2,000 diyas Of.”
Raksha is the daughter of physically challenged Ramesh Pujari and Sasikala Kotian, a grocery store worker.
“This initiative is helping me in my studies. This year also, I have received orders for over 1,500 diyas so far. Diyas painted in copper color are selling like hot cakes with an antique look. This time, I have also started painting diyas of different sizes and designs. Lotus designs are in good demand among the designs. Customers are liking the color combination. Since the demand is high, I was forced to buy an additional 1,000 lamps from Mumbai. When compared to plain diyas, I charge an extra Rs 10 for my work,” said Raksha.
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