Purvi Sanghvi

Gopal Prajapati,a young potter studying in grade 9th.
Selling pottery like the small jari’s, lamps,small pots, etc

Chowpatty
Nathdwara

When I mentioned to him that I have done pottery,the first question he asked me was ‘which caste do you belong to?”
It came as a surprise and shock at the same time.

I do know that the caste system is ingrained and rampant in India, however I was surprised that it was so important even for a 9th grader to know which caste I belonged to!
I told him I was a Vaishnav.
When I asked him his caste, he proudly said that he was a prajapati (kumbhar,potter)

I was made aware of the caste differences by my family when I wanted to learn and make pottery.
And also when I wanted to make and study jewellery.