Pottery in Telangana: Empirical Evidence of Current and Future Challenges

This article presents and discusses empirical evidence of the socio-economic status of the Kummari potter community in Telangana to highlight the continued primacy of the traditional caste-based occupation as a livelihood option for many Kummari households. Taking a holistic perspective, the research documents the current challenges faced by the community, covering the entire cycle of pottery-making, including input sourcing, production, adoption of new technology and marketing. The article also identifies core policy interventions that need urgent attention in the form of state support, complemented with collectivisation, technology diffusion and capacity-building of the artisans.

Automated summary

This article presents empirical evidence of the socio-economic status of the Kummari potter community in Telangana and emphasizes the continued importance of the traditional caste-based occupation for many Kummari households. The research provides a comprehensive view of the challenges faced by the community throughout the pottery-making cycle, including input sourcing, production, adoption of new technology, and marketing. The article also identifies core policy interventions that require urgent attention, such as state support, collectivisation, technology diffusion, and capacity-building of the artisans.