| |
The popularity of ceramics can be seen from the numerous categories and types one finds all over India. Functional, unsophisticated, simple but attractive pottery shapes lay an emphasis on the dignity of form. The most common clay object is the all-purpose kullar (cup-like container) used for serving water or tea, sometimes decorated with geometrical and floral designs.
There are a variety of objects specially produced for festive occasions, such as lamps for Diwali, toys for Dusshera, pots for seedlings at Sankranti and colourful kalash (pots) for marriages. Many products are also used for decoration and make great gifts, some of which are Karigari (design) pottery, ashtrays, flower-vases, tea sets, paperweights and decorative animal figures.
Delhi is famous for its ‘Blue’ pottery that uses an eyes-catching Persian blue dye to colour the clay. Blue pottery is glazed and high-fired which makes it tougher than the others. Another version, the Jaipur blue pottery is unique. No cracks develop in it, making it impervious and more hygienic for daily use. Some of this pottery is semi-transparent and generally decorated with animal and bird motifs. Decorative items such as ashtrays, vases, coasters, small bowls and boxes for trinkets, are made using paste and fired at very low temperature.
Not readily available outside Bengal, but of interest to the visitor is the Mansa pottery of West Bengal. It represents the snake goddess and is a quaint, double curved pot with a face painted on it. Similarly the Dakshinirai pots, found in the sunder bans area, are round pots with a mouth signifying a crown. An outlet of studio pottery is ‘Valeries’ in West Bengal, producing semi-handmade earthenware and glazed tableware in various mud tones.
Khurja, in Uttar Pradesh, a three-hour drive from Delhi, is well known for its cheap but tough tableware. Produced on a mass scale, fired at high temperatures, these pottery items retain their mud colour and are in popular demand.
Rajasthan pottery has certain distinct characterstics. The mouths of water pots are small, probably to prevent spilling when water is being carried. Alwar is noted for its paper-thin pottery, known as Kagzi (paper) pottery.
Goa’s rich tradition, a blend of Indian and Portuguese culture, has remained unique . This is best reflected in the arts and crafts fashioned by the hands of Goa artists. Simple yet intricately beautiful, abstract yet exquisite, these creations are a mirror of Goa’s perennial glory and beauty.
Interesting buys are the black pottery and chillum (clay pipe) from Tamil Nadu. At Kottaikorai in Pondicherry, the slat-glazed pottery has a texture of orange peel. Most of the painting is done before firing and most of the items are utilitarian, starting with candle-stands to water filters and tableware. |
