craft process

current scenario

Raw Materials

The raw materials used in the process of making a terracotta product can be divided into 3 categories :

1. Raw material for making Clay: Coarse clay is procured from Modhwa Rann, which is 5-7 km away from the village. The clay is made finer by grinding and then sieving it. The mud is mixed in water and allowed to rest for 2-3 days and it becomes soft enough to be given any desired shape.

Characteristics of clay • It is mouldable once wet, it achieves its strength on being fired. • It is porous, and hence material breathes. • It is an insulator.

2. Raw material used for finishing Gheru (red colour), black clay and white stone are used along with water to paint and make patterns using brushes made from branch of date trees.

3. Raw material used for firing Thorns, twigs, plywood waste, cardboard waste and wood are all fired for the kiln, glass wool is sometimes used over broken pots or products to cover the kiln to prevent the loss of heat from the kiln.

The raw materials are available in nearby areas and are transported to the village through local transportation modes.

Traditional wheel called Chakda for making artefacts

Tools used fot tapping pots

Tools used for designing the artefacts

Sharp tools used for finishing and making designs

current scenario

Tools and Equipments

The tools and equipments used in the process of making clayware are

Potter’s wheel (Chakda): Electric wheel / Hand operated wheel and stick String used to separate the product from the clay lump on wheel Metal strips used to finish products when on wheel Fumadu (it is long plastic stick with a rotating wheel which has groves on it to create lined patterns)- To make designs while product is on wheel ‘Tappan’ - Beating devices ‘farai’ – stone tools are used to give support from inside while making the pots with hand

The tools and equipments used for decoration of the clayware are

Cutter Knife Carving tools Brushes made from branches of date trees Cloth used to create lusture on the products

The tools and equipments used for firing the clayware are

Kiln Tools to help push in the fuel (wood/ sticks etc) in the kiln

Clay soaked in a container

Lumps are made from the wet clay

Water added to the powdered clay and is mixed properly

Lumps of clay used for making artefacts

current scenario

Process

Preparation of Clay

The clay used for making products is basically in the rock form. These rocks are grinded into small particles. It is then soaked in water for sometime so that it looses its hardness. These particles are then grinded again in the machine to get the powder form. In proper proportion, the water is added and is mixed properly with hands. This dough of clay is then wrapped up in a jute bag as it removes excessive water from the dough and also helps the clay to remain wet and avoid cracks. Round clay balls are made as per the requirement to make the products on wheel.

Clay used for making bottles

Bottles kept for drying

Finishing of the bottle on chakda

Bottles painted and fired

current scenario

Making of Products

Bottles

1.Preparation: Clay is prepared for making of the bottles, and kneaded for the air to escape so that the products don’t break while making .

2.Process: The wheel is used to give form to the lump of the clay. It is allowed to dry partially. Handles are attached to them when the bottle is in semi drying process.

3.Decoration: After painting, they are kept in the kiln along with the other products according to their sizes so they do not break in the kiln.

4.Finishing: After taking them out from the kiln, they are cleaned and are ready to be sold. The straps are attached to the handles later.

Pot being made on the chakda

Pots kept in sun for drying

Tapping is done on a semi-dried pot

Painting done on dry pots

current scenario

Making of Products

Earthen Pots

1.Preparation: Clay is prepared

2.Process: The basic form of the product is drawn on the wheel. It is beaten up to make the final form.It is dried till the color of the terracotta turns to white.This happens as the water evaporates and the clay strengthens.

3.Additional hardware: For certain pots if the taps are to be attached the holes are made when the pots are in the drying process i.e after one day drying they cut the circle using a knife.

4.Decoration: They are painted using the brushes made by them with the gheru and colors made from white and black stone.

5.Finishing: Firing is done to get the final product. The process of making remains more or less same for all different kinds of products except the modifications in the forms, cut outs, additions, textures and paintings done on it. Techniques don’t change, although some tools are modified and are used depending on the design.

Red stone being crushed properly

Objects placed in the kiln

Stones soaked in water

Fire is lit and moved inside the kiln

current scenario

Painting of Products

The main red color which is widely used on all products is called Gheru. Along with gheru, the strokes of white and black color are also made for decoration of products. The color that they get is basically in rock form. The rock of red, white and black color is grinded first into small pieces. Then to make it more soft, it is dissolved in water for sometime. When the rock dissolves, and gets into liquid form, which is then applied on the products.

The gheru is applied on the products with the help of a rough cloth so that they achieve the natural shine. After the application of gheru, with the help of dry date tree branches, strokes of different colors and patterns are given to the products. Dry date tree branches are used as brush for making the traditional patterns.

Firing and Kiln

The firing is done with the traditional method called pit firing. The kiln is made with mud bricks . The sun dried products are arranged in the kiln according to their sizes to avoid the breakage of products. The kiln is then covered with the cardboard and the broken mud pieces of the products. Dry branches, rough cardboard pieces, dry leaves, papers are used as the fuel for lighting the fire.