Slice of Life: ‘I haven’t visited a doctor, taken pills in 30 years’

I belong to a family of potters and we have been in the business of selling earthenware for generations now. It has been our family business and I am extremely proud of it. I am 75 now and can’t even recollect since when I have been in the business of selling pots. We belong to a small place in Madurai. For many years, we stacked the pottery on bullock carts and sold it around in the city. We knew the needs of each and every customer and would advise them on which pottery to pick up for their homes. 

Prior to marriage I used to sell pottery with my father and post marriage with my husband, sons and now even grandsons. My husband died almost 25 years ago but I continue to sell pots with my sons and grandsons. Over the last decade or so, we started using lorries to transport our earthenware and sell it in other cities, apart from Madurai. 

In Chennai, we operate out of this roadside shelter in Vyasarpadi. Many people ask me why I need to be around to sell the pots, when I have my sons and grandsons. They feel owing to my age I can sit back at home in Madurai and relax. But the way I can sell pottery, nobody else can. Also I feel bored at home and enjoy travelling to Chennai and selling pots.

Infact, it is probably owing to my active lifestyle that I am fit and fine. I didn’t have the need to visit a doctor or go to a hospital for the past 30 years. I don’t even remember taking many pills over the years. I have always been busy travelling and doing my business. I wish to continue doing it forever.