The origin of this craft is lost in antiquity. However, it is said the craft is as old as civilization. Man used earth as his medium, ever since he started making things for himself.
Clay being the most abundantly available versatile and organic, lending itself to any shape and responsive to even slight touch, became the natural choice of the artisans to produce marvellous artefacts with his deft hands. The quality of clay used (i.e. white clay, China clay, red clay etc.) and the temperature under which the articles are fired decides the quality of end products. Higher the temperature, more decarbonisation takes place; yield Titie variety of articles nomenclatured ceramics, terracotta, art pottery, etc., in the descending order of temperature under which they are fired.
Suitable clay is collected from ponds/lakes or river beds and stored in shade. Before use, the clay has to be pulverised, sieved to get fine powder. The powdered clay is mixed with water upto required level and kneaded thoroughly to get dough. Mostly women folk engaged in this labourous process of pulverising, sieving kneading and making clay balls ready for throw on wheel. The man usually sits for operating wheel, while woman maintains supply lime of clay gonde (clay balls).
The clay kept on wheel transfon-ns into exquisite articles like flower pot or figure purely on the imagination and mere manipulation of fingers of the potter; the real skill he attained through tradition. After the items are created, it is cut by means of metal wire and allowed to dry under shade. Thereafter the dried wares are baked properly in country kiln by using cow-dung, straw etc. as feul. Now-a-days, electric kilns are used for firing. So also, motor driven electric wheels are used by potters to avoid drudgery. In some cases, design are etched on the surface of the items, before they get dried by means of metal wire or a special kind of small chisel made for this purpose.
After firing the articles, red-oxide coating is given to get dark brownish-red colour, to give more appeal. The major items of production are motifs of God, Goddess, Boothas, Gram Devatas, Masks, and utility items like lamp shades, flowerpots, hanging pots. Decorated jars, animal figures like Camel, Bull, Elephant, Goat etc.,. Some skilled artisans produce themes of Ramayana, Mahabharata like Geeta upadesh, etc., in terracotta. |
