Varanasi Potters Craft Clay 'Pearls': New Trend Boosts Income & Year-Round Demand

• Potters in Varanasi are innovating by creating 'pearls' from clay, moving beyond traditional lamps and idols.
• These clay pearls are used to make home decorative items like chandeliers and torans, as well as artificial jewelry.
• The initiative is primarily driven by the daughters of potter families, providing them with year-round work.
• Over 15-20 designs of pearls are crafted, with a focus on separating impurities from clay before shaping and baking.
• The new trend has doubled income for potter families, as pearl production is faster and demand is consistent compared to seasonal lamp sales.