Wallstone Ceramic

We are based out in Lakhdhirnagar, which is right by the Machhu Dam. It is a bit of a trek for some, but it is where all the ceramic work happens. The dust from the clay and the heat from the kilns are things you just get used to after a week on the job. We spend most of our time moving heavy boxes of tiles and checking the finish on the ceramic pieces. The dam nearby is a landmark everyone knows, and sometimes you can feel a breeze coming off the water, though the factory floor stays pretty warm most of the year. It is not a glamorous lifestyle. We wear old clothes because they are going to get stained with earth and pigments anyway. The machinery is loud and it runs for long stretches. We take our breaks together and talk about whatever is going on in the village or the latest news. Every day involves a lot of lifting and stacking. When a fresh batch comes out of the fire, there is a specific smell in the air that tells you the work is done. We do not spend much time on computers or fancy paperwork. Most of what we do involves our hands and eyes. The road to the dam gets busy with trucks carrying raw materials or finished goods, and we just fit right into that cycle. It is a lot of hard work, but seeing the stacks of finished ceramic ready to go out makes it feel worthwhile.