Handicraft products are amalgamation of art, designs, patterns, concepts attached with the culture, tradition, ethnic values, rituals etc. Clay craft is one of those. Producing things out of clay is known as Pottery. Today, I am sharing something about the clay craft culture of Gujarat.
Clay craft of Gujarat:
Clay craft is the art of making various things out of clay. Potters uses the fertile clay found near the lake or rivers. Clay craft is deeply in blood of Gujarat’s ancient tradition. Gujarat is famous for its Teracotta and Contemporary mud work clay craft. In this craft, potters mold wet clay in different patterns, designs, shapes and sizes, resulting into a fine piece of art. They make utensils, vessels and earthen pots, mud mirrors, show pieces, etc out of clay.
Khavda Pottery craft, Kutch:
Khavda pottery craft of Kutch is the most ancient clay craft of Gujarat. This art is world famous for its designs, patterns and craft. Since Indus valley civilization, the khavda pottery is being practiced in regions of Kutch Gujarat. Khavda is a village in Bhuj district of Gujarat famous for making of earthen pots. Potters uses wet clay from the acre (lake) called as “Rann ki Mitti”. They work closely with the natural resources. This clay is shaped in various sizes and structures in the potter’s wheel. Then, women’s paint those shaped products with red, black or white clay based paints to give them a beautiful look. The reason of being its reddish in colour is because of Geru (a unique soil). Later, they bake it in a furnace using available fuels of dry wood or cow dung.
People uses Khadva pottery not only in the kitchen household but also in various ceremonies of marriage birth and death. The art of khavda pottery is diminishing day by day. Earlier there were 10 families making this pottery out of which only 2 families are remaining.
Store:
Address: Khavda Painted Pottery, Khavda-Dhordo, Khavda, Gujarat, 370510
Phone no: 099133 59144
Mud and Mirror Art:
The mud and mirror art is also called as LIPPAN KAAM. It is a traditional craft mostly done in the Kutch region of Gujarat. Basically, lippan kaam is a product which is prepared from a mixture of mud and cow dung which keeps house cool. Kutch is the hottest region of Gujarat. Thus, mud works helps people to survive their life during summer. Mud and mirror work is mainly comes from the Rabari community of Kutch region but various muslim people also work in this area. Mud and mirror work attracts the modern generation people for its intricate patterns and artistic designs.
Presently, the lippan kaam is mostly seen in the Sumrasar and Dhundro villages of kutch Gujarat. The house interiors here are fully designed by lippan kaam. These homes spots glittering lippan kaam in walls as it is a local traditional mud relief design of this regions. This is a completely different art form which gives a visual treat in eyes. These designs not only give a scenic beauty to homes but also provide safety during catastrophic earthquakes.
This handicraft items are the source which keeps out traditions and culture alive. We as citizens of India must respect the efforts and values of this culture and artists. The clay craft potters are ingrained with excellent talents and creative mind within them. We must encourage this craft and help it to develop all over the world.
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