Ooramana is an interior village in Ramamangalam Grama Panchayat in Ernakulam District – “Maattoms” – Small clay pots which is being widely used by the Toddy workers for collecting Toddy comes from Ooramana. “Pournami” – a Self Help Group of 15 women, assisted by the Pampakuda Block under the SGSY scheme, is engaged in the activity of Pottery making, especially these “Maattoms”.
“Pottery making”, which is a traditional handicraft of Kerala is becoming extinct with time. When the new generation is relectant towards practising such traditional crafts, the courage shown by the women of Pournami Group is to be appreciated.
Pournami SHG is ‘ having 15 lady members belonging to the ‘velar’ community. The unit was constituted on the 14 of January,2001, as a result of the efforts of the Village Extension Office, Ooramana. The group was registered under Pampakuda Block. The group grew gradually through internal loans and other activities. On 24.07.2002, the group had its first grading followed by a matching grant of Rs. 5000/-.
Initially, the group members thought of manufacturing commonly used household potteryware. But owing to the guidance and support from the Block officials, they have decided to try a new venture – the manufacture of “Maattoms” which is having a huge demand in the Toddy business.The development of the business in the beginning was slow paced, due to the lack of enough capital, to produce as per demand. Shortly, the business flourished. Then there was a serious thought among the members about further development. Their major needs were to find a common work place for increasing the production. Then there was the question of Money. Pampakuda Block was at their help once again.
An amount of Rs.1,50,000/- was sanctioned as loan with a subsidy of Rs. 75,000/- through Union Bank of India, Oorammana. Using this, the Group could build a ‘work shed and collected enough raw material. Then, there was no turning back. As a part of product diversification, they have started making Garden pots. Thus Pournam’s fame crossed the boundaries of Ernakulam District and reached up to Palghat.
Today, the “Maattoms” produced as a whole is being sold at Palghat alone, each costing Rs. 25/- . Even advance booking is needed to get the product in time. Men, who were making fun of these ladies, initially, have now started helping them. The raw material is being collected from distant places like Vaikom and Nedumbassery. Scarcity of the raw material if the major problem faced by the unit.
The manufacture of “Maattoms’ is a multistaged process. Each and every member of the Group are having their roles. The process begins with the careful mixing of clay, sand and water, in the correct proportions. It is then thoroughly mixed, until the mixtures is having a sticky texture. Then comes the most strenuous part of the process, ie, formation of the ‘pots’ with the help of a turning wheel.
As this stage of the process requires much effort and strain, they are performed with the help of males. The next stage involves the beating of the pots with specially made wooden logs, to bring them to the unique shaps of the ‘Maattoms’. Such beaten ‘Maattoms’ are sun dried and baked in Choolas at stipulated temperatures.
In monsoons, the Group member have to take a break from their activity as there is no facility to dry the pots. In order to maintain the continuity in the income, the Group members are thinking of some other activities like ‘Goat rearing’.
The Group is leaded by a 5 member Committee with Smt. Indira as President and Smt. Ammini as Secretary. The Bank loan has already been repaid upto 70%.
When most of the other groups choose activities like ‘ provisional store’ which do not require much physical efforts, Pournami’s success even after choosing a tedious and strenuous activity, stands apart. The Group members themselves are satisfied with the performance of the Group and the income they obtain from their job. By the time, many Central Government and State Government teams have visited the group to see their success. All the 15 women of the Group found a new life through SGSY and they are highly contented with the same, as evident from the happiness in their faces.
Pournami, Which means a ‘ full moonday’ has enlightened many lives with Glory of a full moon day.
“Pottery making”, which is a traditional handicraft of Kerala is becoming extinct with time. When the new generation is relectant towards practising such traditional crafts, the courage shown by the women of Pournami Group is to be appreciated.
Pournami SHG is ‘ having 15 lady members belonging to the ‘velar’ community. The unit was constituted on the 14 of January,2001, as a result of the efforts of the Village Extension Office, Ooramana. The group was registered under Pampakuda Block. The group grew gradually through internal loans and other activities. On 24.07.2002, the group had its first grading followed by a matching grant of Rs. 5000/-.
Initially, the group members thought of manufacturing commonly used household potteryware. But owing to the guidance and support from the Block officials, they have decided to try a new venture – the manufacture of “Maattoms” which is having a huge demand in the Toddy business.The development of the business in the beginning was slow paced, due to the lack of enough capital, to produce as per demand. Shortly, the business flourished. Then there was a serious thought among the members about further development. Their major needs were to find a common work place for increasing the production. Then there was the question of Money. Pampakuda Block was at their help once again.
An amount of Rs.1,50,000/- was sanctioned as loan with a subsidy of Rs. 75,000/- through Union Bank of India, Oorammana. Using this, the Group could build a ‘work shed and collected enough raw material. Then, there was no turning back. As a part of product diversification, they have started making Garden pots. Thus Pournam’s fame crossed the boundaries of Ernakulam District and reached up to Palghat.
Today, the “Maattoms” produced as a whole is being sold at Palghat alone, each costing Rs. 25/- . Even advance booking is needed to get the product in time. Men, who were making fun of these ladies, initially, have now started helping them. The raw material is being collected from distant places like Vaikom and Nedumbassery. Scarcity of the raw material if the major problem faced by the unit.
The manufacture of “Maattoms’ is a multistaged process. Each and every member of the Group are having their roles. The process begins with the careful mixing of clay, sand and water, in the correct proportions. It is then thoroughly mixed, until the mixtures is having a sticky texture. Then comes the most strenuous part of the process, ie, formation of the ‘pots’ with the help of a turning wheel.
As this stage of the process requires much effort and strain, they are performed with the help of males. The next stage involves the beating of the pots with specially made wooden logs, to bring them to the unique shaps of the ‘Maattoms’. Such beaten ‘Maattoms’ are sun dried and baked in Choolas at stipulated temperatures.
In monsoons, the Group member have to take a break from their activity as there is no facility to dry the pots. In order to maintain the continuity in the income, the Group members are thinking of some other activities like ‘Goat rearing’.
The Group is leaded by a 5 member Committee with Smt. Indira as President and Smt. Ammini as Secretary. The Bank loan has already been repaid upto 70%.
When most of the other groups choose activities like ‘ provisional store’ which do not require much physical efforts, Pournami’s success even after choosing a tedious and strenuous activity, stands apart. The Group members themselves are satisfied with the performance of the Group and the income they obtain from their job. By the time, many Central Government and State Government teams have visited the group to see their success. All the 15 women of the Group found a new life through SGSY and they are highly contented with the same, as evident from the happiness in their faces.
Pournami, Which means a ‘ full moonday’ has enlightened many lives with Glory of a full moon day.
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