Terracotta Crafts

Terracotta craft involves using clay to prepare reddish brown unglazed earthenware intended as building material. The earthenware is hand-modeled into various figurines, votive images and plaques. Terracota is molded in many states into figures inspired by local legends and iconography, and has been practiced for centuries, since the Harappan civilization.

The rural parts of India commonly display terracotta animal figures in places of worship or in the vicinity of temples. In some parts of Indian villages, the women folk create their own forms of Gods for worship and other decorative pieces for adorning their houses.

The beautiful terracotta works are ideally used for decoration. People in states of Bihar, Bengal and Gujarat, prepare clay figures to propitiate their Gods and Goddesses, during festivals. Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, is the home to exquisite clay figures of animals. The potters create the basic form by throwing separate pieces on the wheel and then joining them. They are then fired and then painted brilliant colors.

In the South India, Tamilnadu is famous for the terracotta figures of the Aiyanar Deity. Huge figures are created as standing guards at the entrances of villages protecting the insiders from evil spirits. Gujarat also has votive figures like horses with riders, etc.

Today, terracotta pots and pottery, though is not used for basic needs, a designer pot, nevertheless, has retained its pride of place for exciting interior design and decoration. Skilled pottery work still evokes a rare affinity, not known by any other form of craft.

While retaining the aura and looks of natural terracotta, skilled Indian potters apply twists and turns, cut patterns and myriad shapes on the body to produce offbeat terracotta pots. A vast range of vases, candleholders, hanging pots, wall hangings, planters and bells are also made for home decoration and special occasions. Available in variegated designs these terracotta items seem quite popular with the international buyers.

Terracotta handmade designer decorative tiles have also gained immense popularity, worldwide. Each tile design depicts a particular theme that, together with other similar tiles, makes a pattern. These terracotta tiles are used for walls and ceilings and not for floors. The designs in handmade terracotta tile range from geometric to floral and Indian folk designs.

Clay potters of West Bengal, in Kolkata and its suburbs are famous for making clay and terracotta idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses like Ganapati (the Elephant God), Durga, dancing Nataraj, Shiva and Buddha. Superior terracotta craftsmanship is skillfully used for making sculpted murals. The craft being very old and ancient is undergoing a complete revival and experts feel, it is still evolving.

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