Rural glow in urban homes: the journey of the earthen Karthigai Deepam lamp

The seasonal market for earthen lamps, or agal villaku, has arrived in Chennai, with shops on Kodambakkam High Road stocking various designs for the upcoming Karthigai Deepam festival. While these lamps are sold in urban centers, their production is almost entirely based in rural Tamil Nadu, including areas like Periyapalayam, Thiruvanamalai, Vridhachalam, and Cheyyar.

Retailers like Usha Vadivelu of K. Janaki Clay Pots note that urban firing units have largely shut down due to strict anti-pollution regulations, forcing a total reliance on rural artisans.

The industry blends traditional craftsmanship with modern machine-cut designs, offering everything from simple clay lamps to elaborate representational shapes. Despite challenges like sourcing clay and labor shortages, the business persists as a generational legacy for both the rural manufacturers and urban retailers who maintain these long-standing family trade connections.