Panchmura, The Potters’ Village
Potters of Bankura create exquisite horses out of clay, in a village called Panchmura, 25 km from Bishnupur, in West Bengal, India. This handcrafted clay horse are known for their symmetric shape and rounded curves with an erect neck and ears and is acclaimed for its striking elegance.
Bankura horse has been part of a 300-year old tradition of Panchmura Village. The scope of this terracotta art form got a shot when late Sri Rashbehari Kumbhakar got the President’s Award in 1969. As a result of this some initiatives were taken then for the revival of Panchmura crafts. Subsequently, the Bankura Horse evolved as a symbol of West Bengal, adopted by the State Tourism Board. It is the crest motif of the Central Cottage Industries Emporium. Government of West Bengal and UNESCO have joined hands to develop this place as a Rural Craft Hub to be managed by the artists themselves.
Bankura horses are considered to be ridden by Dharmaraj (Sun God), and are therefore offered as a token of devotion to folk deities. During the late medieval period, the terracotta art of Bishnupur - Bankura began under the Malla dynasty. There are other legends about the origin of the horse and one of them was it being created to appease the gods in granting the boon of an offspring to a childless maharani of the Malla kings. The offering worked and since then the horse has gained a reputation as the symbol of fertility, the reason why they are always made and sold in pairs!
To begin with, alluvial soil with a little amount of sand should be smooth enough to be turned into proper shape on the potter’s wheel. The parts that have come off the wheel are placed in direct sunlight. The potters never use any artificial colour. Instead a special coloured soil is used. Coloured figurines are then fired in the kiln.
Beside horse, items like elephant, Manasa Jhar, dashabatar taas, the idols of gods and goddesses are very popular. Various artisans had to switch over from making horses and elephants to utility items like conches, flower vases, home decorative items and artefacts, tiles and panels to find a larger market.
Only the ‘Kumbhakar’ community of Panchmura (around 60 families) is still struggling to keep this craft tradition alive with their sincere effort and dedication. The potters of Panchmura fall in the category of Other Backward Classes (OBC). The ‘Panchmura Potters’ Society’ was set up in around 2005-2006. The aim was to properly organize the craft production and providing a suitable marketing opportunity by the Society.
Interesting Read: www.chitrolekha.com/V1/n2/07_Terracotta_crafts_of_Panchmu...
Panchmura, The Potters’ Village
Potters of Bankura create exquisite horses out of clay, in a village called Panchmura, 25 km from Bishnupur, in West Bengal, India. This handcrafted clay horse are known for their symmetric shape and rounded curves with an erect neck and ears and is acclaimed for its striking elegance.
Bankura horse has been part of a 300-year old tradition of Panchmura Village. The scope of this terracotta art form got a shot when late Sri Rashbehari Kumbhakar got the President’s Award in 1969. As a result of this some initiatives were taken then for the revival of Panchmura crafts. Subsequently, the Bankura Horse evolved as a symbol of West Bengal, adopted by the State Tourism Board. It is the crest motif of the Central Cottage Industries Emporium. Government of West Bengal and UNESCO have joined hands to develop this place as a Rural Craft Hub to be managed by the artists themselves.
Bankura horses are considered to be ridden by Dharmaraj (Sun God), and are therefore offered as a token of devotion to folk deities. During the late medieval period, the terracotta art of Bishnupur - Bankura began under the Malla dynasty. There are other legends about the origin of the horse and one of them was it being created to appease the gods in granting the boon of an offspring to a childless maharani of the Malla kings. The offering worked and since then the horse has gained a reputation as the symbol of fertility, the reason why they are always made and sold in pairs!
To begin with, alluvial soil with a little amount of sand should be smooth enough to be turned into proper shape on the potter’s wheel. The parts that have come off the wheel are placed in direct sunlight. The potters never use any artificial colour. Instead a special coloured soil is used. Coloured figurines are then fired in the kiln.
Beside horse, items like elephant, Manasa Jhar, dashabatar taas, the idols of gods and goddesses are very popular. Various artisans had to switch over from making horses and elephants to utility items like conches, flower vases, home decorative items and artefacts, tiles and panels to find a larger market.
Only the ‘Kumbhakar’ community of Panchmura (around 60 families) is still struggling to keep this craft tradition alive with their sincere effort and dedication. The potters of Panchmura fall in the category of Other Backward Classes (OBC). The ‘Panchmura Potters’ Society’ was set up in around 2005-2006. The aim was to properly organize the craft production and providing a suitable marketing opportunity by the Society.
Interesting Read: www.chitrolekha.com/V1/n2/07_Terracotta_crafts_of_Panchmu...