Experience Bengal - Bengal Pottery
West Bengal is famous for its arts and crafts. One of the most famous handicrafts of the state comprises of the age-old pottery, which is practiced in exquisite styles, with beautiful variations. Pottery is basically prevalent in the rural parts of West Bengal, where the men and women of 'Kumbhakar’ community are engaged in this art.
Pottery is an indigenous art that has been practiced in the state since ages. The districts of Bankura, Murshidabad and Midnapore in West Bengal are mostly famous for this art. All of which are made up of clay, though the purposes for which they are used are varied. However, the basic requirements and procedure are almost the same for all of them. Clay is taken from various places, like river bed, ditches and pits, and combined together. The clay mixture is then fashioned on wheels, to give it the shape of the required items, which range from simple pots to exquisite idols. The items are then dried and hardened, to make them hard and stabile.
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.
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.
Images of Bengal, India
Experience Bengal - Bengal Pottery
West Bengal is famous for its arts and crafts. One of the most famous handicrafts of the state comprises of the age-old pottery, which is practiced in exquisite styles, with beautiful variations. Pottery is basically prevalent in the rural parts of West Bengal, where the men and women of 'Kumbhakar’ community are engaged in this art.
Pottery is an indigenous art that has been practiced in the state since ages. The districts of Bankura, Murshidabad and Midnapore in West Bengal are mostly famous for this art. All of which are made up of clay, though the purposes for which they are used are varied. However, the basic requirements and procedure are almost the same for all of them. Clay is taken from various places, like river bed, ditches and pits, and combined together. The clay mixture is then fashioned on wheels, to give it the shape of the required items, which range from simple pots to exquisite idols. The items are then dried and hardened, to make them hard and stabile.
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.
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.
Images of Bengal, India