Dhaka, April 13 -- Earthen toys and other traditional items do not top the purchase lists of people throughout the year, but their demand increases during the Noboborsho, or Bengali New Year, on Pahela Baishakh.

New year fairs, in particular, commonly sell earthen or terracotta toys.

As Baishakhi fairs near, potter families from the Paikpara, Sholla and Manuri villages in Chandpur's Faridganj Upazila are busy making and decorating various earthen items, including dolls, elephants, horses, peacocks, pots and pans.

In the neighbourhood of Palpara in Paikpara village, both men and women busy in the courtyards of their houses. Some were making dolls out of clay, while others were making pots and pans. These products are dried in the sun, f...