Clay takes over Hyderabad’s highways

Hyderabad’s picnickers make the most of the relatively cool weekend mornings, for day trips to Vikarabad, Warangal and Siddipet. En route, they are taken to the highways by a motley group of vendors who seek to entice them with clay cooking utensils – pots, pans, glasses and bottles brought from Kota to Rajasthan.

The roads which are usually dotted with vendors of fresh vegetables and fruits are now proving to be a good market for vendors of clay pots; they are intelligently positioned near fruit and vegetable vendors for easy access.

Makeshift “shops” on open mini-trucks display their wares on the sidewalk, to attract the attention of motorists. Clay utensils include pots in black and brown, pots of ‘cook and serve’ curry as well as pots and pans with heat-resistant handles, tava for roasts, tea cups and bottles of drinking water, all priced at ₹ 100 to ₹ 700.

Rajnath Singh, a 35-year-old salesman, says the bottles are a favorite among rickshaw travelers because they keep water cold longer. Rajnath says: “People who travel by car usually stop, inquire and buy. Many people also bought cups and glasses in bulk. We don’t ask them for the purpose, but I believe they are used in restaurants and hotels. “

Another supplier, Rinku, says: “This is my first time on this highway and I was able to do decent business. I’ll be there for a few more days, then try to get closer to the city where there aren’t too many traffic restrictions. “He finds that people familiar with clay pot baking don’t ask questions.” Only novices wishing to experiment mitti-bartan (mud utensils) ask how to wash and clean the pots and whether they can be used on a gas stove or should only be used on a wood fire, ”he smiles.

Find a digital space

Clayware is also marketed online by several online aggregators. However, roadside sellers think they can sell better because buyers can test their jars and check if there is a crack to avoid buying low quality products.

Narayan Sharma, another salesperson, explains the technique: “Knock on the boat and listen for a uniform clicking sound. If this sound is not sharp, the pot or other clay is faulty.

Sellers of clay cookware are taking advantage of demand with high prices, especially for people who look like first-time buyers. For example, a clay pot without handles, sold for ₹ 200 by a dealer, is quoted between ₹ 400 and ₹ 700 by these roadside vendors. Cook and serve pots with handles should be a steal for ₹ 500. Go ahead and negotiate if you have to – they expect it.

Narayan adds, “Kota clay is very popular. We [roadside vendors like him] buy direct from the pot makers and bring it here. We come in to sell along the way and are expecting a wholesale buyer. Once we have found our wholesale buyer, we go home. “

Also look for vendors in Trimulgherri, Medchal, Habsiguda, and on the way to Ramoji Film City.