Popularly known as Mangalore Tiles by the name of the place where they originated, a German Missionary Plebot set up the first tile factory in 1865, after he found large deposits of clay by the banks Gurupur and Nethravathi Rivers. It was called Basel Mission Tile factory and located on the banks of the river Nethravathi.Several other tile factories came up in the years that followed. Abundant deposits of clay, plenty of firewood from the Western Ghats and cheap skilled labour helped the industry flourish. Since the tiles were made only in the city initially, they came to be called Mangalore tiles. Today, there are only five tile factories in the city as compared to forty-five in the Seventies. The first tile factory has also shut down. Reduction in clay deposits, labour problems and tile factories coming up in other places are said to be some of the reasons for the decline.
3 comments:
We live in a time when factories are closing down in so many places. Sad. But I guess new factories making diffent items will take their place...we hope.
This is a really nice image. I am wondering what new industries have risen to take the place of the tile factories? My home down saw most of its big-employing industries (mainly a pulp and paper mill) close down 15 years ago, and the town is really only now starting to recover, with a bunch of other smaller employers taking on staff. The rest of us have left town for work. Is the same true in Karwar?
Thanks ! for the comments...
The image was taken from a moving Bus.. and though the Tiles making has been reduced (due to fall in demand), some plants have diversified into making terracotta handicrafts, Floor/wall/outdoor tiles, ceramics, etc. So life goes on...
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