a graphic novel based on the crafts people of gundiyali
Vedanshi sarda
level 2 | Faculty of design reimagining the vernacular faculty : Jay thakkar Teaching assistant : Kamna Vyas
this graphic novel is based on the life storis of people in gundiyali village. Gundiyali has one of the largest teracotta craft community in gujarat.
the story of mariam’s pursuit of passion
You seem to be new here. You have a beautiful pattern there, no doubt mariam made that with such intricacy.
my name is fatin.
Yes I am. I was just brought back from the bhatti after firing yesterday. I assume you have been here for a long time since some of your mirror beads have come off. can you tell me why wasn’t i sent with others to the cityfor sale and instead kept here? all her favourite and close to heart products are kept on this shelf.
i was made 13 years ago by mariam.
1
Well, I was the first clay product made by her on her own and hence as a memory to her she always kept me with her.
Ohh! Well if you were made 13 years ago, she might be pretty talented to start working at such a young age. Can you tell me more about her?
2
Yes, sure. Let me start telling you from her childhood.
3
Abba, Can you let me sit on the wheel? It seems so fascinating.
Ohh, I know that look ! What do you want? Tell me.
Yayyyyy ! Thank you.
Umm.. Okay. First let me complete those, then I will let you try after we have our lunch.
4
Finallyy! I made a perfect mug on my own. I will name it Fatim which means elegance.
5
mariam learnt to paint the beautiful patterns from her mother. and hence by the age of 15 she started helping her father in the business.
6
Yes I am ! Yes I am ! She is all so fluffy and cute. AMMI CAN WE PLEASE KEEP THIS CAT?
7
All your three sisters are married now, even the one younger than you.
Yes, I know ammi.
Dear Mariam, I have had a talk with Rafiq Bhai, he has agreed to let his son Ahmed marry you.
8
It’s time you should marry now, you are twenty-one already. I will talk to your father about this.
mariam got married to ahmed at the age of 21 and had two children asim and aliyah. after getting married she kept herself busy in taking care of her children, family and household and couldnt get to work on the wheel.
9
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I really miss working on the wheel. Should I talk about it?
I’ll talk to Ammi about it.
Ammi….. Um.. I wanted to….. ask you something…It’s just.. watching them working with clay makes me feel like doing it again. I haven't made anything since I came here. I really miss it. Can I…
Wait stop there… it’s a men's job. We, women, are here to handle the household and help them.
.....Okay
11
then came a morning which turned her life upside down.
12
run.....run.....run..... runnnn......run....
earthquake.... earthquake...... earthquake...........
13
loo.......look over ther....there.
14
the deadliest earthquake of gujarat hit AT THAT TIME. IT HAD IT’S EPICENTRE IN THE NEARBY VILLAGE.
the day ended with a nightmare for real.
15
what shall i do now? we cant sleep outside more. i think i shall go discuss it with the sarpanch.
16
did you talk to the sarpanch? what did he say?
yes, we discussed and decided that permanent houses should be made this time for safety measures.
that is true. but if we build a permenant house now we will be left with no money.
i dont see a better option so i think our son and i have to head to the city to find a job for sometime untill we become financially stable and put pottery business on halt for a while.
17
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Mariam’s father-in-law and husband left for the city to find jobs.
19
Mariam’s husband used to sent money that they earned in the city.
thank you !
dont worry ammi, we will figure out a way.
the money that they are sending isnt enough for us, we need to do something about it.
20
Ammi… I was thinking about what we talked about yesterday. if possible i can restart our family pottery business. i learnt the basic skills form abba and painting from ammi. what do you think about it?
we will set up a temporary space beside the tree. and as far as the raw is concerned, i will go to modha with my brother and bring it myself.
if that’s the only option now, i dont see a problem. but where will you work? and what about raw clay?
okay ! as you wish Mariam. i will help you take care of kids.
.....Okay
21
mariam headed to collect the raw clay from a nearby place named modha with her brother.
22
finally !!!! it’s time to start the main job of clay.
23
.....
24
well done mariam, didnt know you were so good at clay work.
27
28
mariam not only started her journey towards her passion and earn for family but also encouraged her mother-in-law to become an entrepreneur.
29
i am thankful to saaraben for sharing her life stories and inspiring me to write this novel. She always followed her passion for pottery and will continue to do so. This book is dedicated to her and her beliefs. she makes clay plates on her own and is an expert in painting those too.
this is a story about a girl named mariam who used to live in gundiyali village in gujarat. she belonged to a potter’s family. she was always found of making clay products, however after her marraige it became difficult to continue practice. but there came a day that turned her life that turned their lives upside down. amidst the horror of the disastrous earthquake she fund herself an opportunity to do what she loved the most.