Enthusiastic participation of buyers was witnessed at Mati Kala fairs held in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Agra, Kanpur Dehat, and Moradabad, marking a major boost to traditional pottery artisans in Uttar Pradesh. Remarkable sales worth ₹2.19 crore were recorded at three-day district-level fairs across 70 districts, registering ₹91 lakh higher turnover than last year. The initiative continues to strengthen direct links between artisans and consumers. The Yogi Government’s innovative efforts, including the establishment of the Uttar Pradesh Mati Kala Board, are revitalising traditional pottery art and providing it with a renewed commercial identity.
The Uttar Pradesh Mati Kala Board has achieved record sales of over ₹4.20 crore during the financial year 2025-26 through state, regional, and district-level Mati Kala fairs. This represents a significant increase of ₹91 lakh compared to the previous year, indicating 27.7% growth despite fewer stalls being set up. The surge reflects enhanced market reach, rising consumer interest in indigenous craft, and strengthened support systems for traditional artisans.
Vision to Empower Traditional Artisans
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s commitment to uplifting traditional artisans and promoting indigenous crafts has played a pivotal role in this success. The government’s focus on marketing, branding, and capacity-building has enabled pottery products from Uttar Pradesh to access national and global platforms. The 10-day Mati Kala Mahotsav held at Khadi Bhavan, Lucknow, from October 10 to 19, recorded sales of ₹1.22 crore from 56 stalls. Meanwhile, seven-day regional fairs organised in Gorakhpur, Agra, Kanpur Dehat, and Moradabad between October 13 and 19 featured 126 stalls and reported ₹78.84 lakh in sales.
In addition, district-level Mati Kala fairs held across 70 districts from October 17 to 19 generated ₹2.19 crore in revenue from 509 stalls. In 2024-25, a total of 878 stalls achieved ₹3.29 crore in sales. This year’s higher turnover, despite fewer stalls, highlights improved product quality, enhanced fair management, and stronger market linkages, thereby boosting confidence among artisans.
Strengthening Traditional Craft With Modern Market Access
The Mati Kala Board continues to focus on artisan training, design refinement, exhibition management, and brand expansion to ensure sustainable livelihoods. A landmark decision under this initiative allows Prajapati community members to extract clay free of cost from village ponds, significantly reducing production expenses and ensuring an uninterrupted supply of raw material. Thousands of families have found new economic pathways through this initiative, giving traditional pottery a modern marketplace presence and global recognition potential.
According to the CEO, Khadi and Village Industries, and the GM, Mati Kala Board, consistent government support and targeted programs have enabled artisans to connect directly with buyers. “Consumers warmly embraced traditional pottery during the fairs, resulting in higher incomes and increased brand visibility for Mati Kala products,” he said. The Board plans to expand fairs to more districts in the coming years, ensuring that Uttar Pradesh’s pottery heritage continues to gain prominence in national and international markets.
