Why is the tradition of Gharkunda and Kulhiya-Chukiya ending on Diwali?

Diwali Clay Toys Tradition: As soon as the festival of Diwali arrives, lamps, sweets, decorative items and colorful toys start appearing in the markets. Amidst this excitement, there is also a tradition for which children used to wait for the whole year. On Diwali, buy small clay pots for children, play house-to-house with them and decorate your small kitchen. Earthen toys like Gharkunda i.e. Gharaunda, Kulhiya-Chukiya and Chargharwa are part of this tradition. However, with the changing times, children's toys have changed, but these earthen pots have gradually been replaced by plastic toys and online games. After all, what was special about these small earthen pots and why is this tradition gradually coming to an end?

What is the tradition of Gharakunda i.e. Gharaunda, Kulhiya-Chukiya and Chargharwa?

The tradition of buying earthen pots for children on Diwali is especially seen in many parts of North India. In this, toys like Gharkunda, Kulhiya-Chukiya and Chargharwa have special importance. Gharkunda is a small house made of mud, which children decorate on Diwali. Children create a world of their imagination by placing small idols, lamps and decorative items in it.

Whereas Kulhiya-Chukiya are small earthen pots. In Kulhiya, children play the game of keeping food items, while Chukiya is used as a small bowl or vessel. Children decorate their small kitchen with these and play the game of cooking and serving food to the dolls. Chargharva is also a traditional set of small earthen pots. With this, children play games related to household and kitchen. There is a slight difference in their name and structure in different areas.

Why was this purchase special for children?

Buying earthen utensils on Diwali was no less than a celebration for children. Children used to choose small utensils of their choice and after returning home, decorated their own world. With these toys, they used to imitate the elders and play games like cooking, feeding guests and managing the house. This encouraged the imagination and creativity of children. They played together with friends and siblings, learned to share things and found happiness in their own little world.

Why is this tradition ending?

The biggest reason for the decline of this tradition is the change in the preferences and lifestyle of children. Today the market is full of plastic and electronic toys. Due to online shopping, new toys are easily available to children. Apart from this, the number of potters making clay toys is decreasing in cities.

Earlier, their shops used to be decorated in local markets around Diwali, but now it has become difficult to buy them at many places. The fear of breaking of earthen utensils and their limited availability is also keeping people away from them.

This Diwali, reconnect children with this tradition.

This tradition is not limited to just buying clay toys, but it is also associated with our culture, childhood and the hard work of local artisans. This Diwali, definitely buy Gharkunda, Kulhiya-Chukiya and Chargharwa for children. Tell the children that potters make these toys with their own hands. Let them decorate the house as per their choice and give them a chance to play with the pottery. This will also give them an opportunity to spend some time away from mobile phones and screens. It is possible that this small effort of yours may bring back to the children's childhood the sweetness which was once the hallmark of the clay toys of Diwali.