Indian Crafts - Khavda Pottery, Gujarat

Pottery is a form of art that shapes and dries clay to form a particular shape for the purpose of daily use or decoration. It has existed in India for over 5000 years, since the Indus Valley civilisation. Different regions and communities in India have their own distinct form of pottery that vary in form, design, and function. Most rural crafts produced in India are made with clay and water. Therefore, it is used for making day-to-day objects, cooking, storage, and crockery. It is also used in celebrations, religious rituals, for transport, and to trade. Often, potters made coiled toys for children who visited them. These objects trace, reflect, and celebrate the cultural heritage of the area. Therefore, pottery is a rich handicraft that allows its artisans’ creativity and imagination to flow.

In India, different communities and castes focus on different forms of pottery, which results in an unofficial hierarchy. For example, Kulhariwals make kulhars (cups), Mantwals make mants (storing jars), Otis make toys. Potters like the Intowals and Pazawgars, who engage in brickwork are considered socially inferior as it is not a pure form of pottery. Brick making and pottery have been interlinked because of the similar process of production that they follow. Despite the similarity, they are not considered earthenware and thought to be assigned to those who are less skilled. Various communities believe that those who engage in making dainty pots and decorate them are superior to those who make bricks, which does not require talent.

One such style is called painted pottery, which has been renamed ‘Khavda pottery’, as a nod to the region it originated from. Khavda pottery artisans still use the same designs passed down from generations and found in Indus valley excavations. The potters from the region are currently fighting to keep their unique handicraft alive.

Design

While the men of the community handle the making of the pots, the women focus on the painting aspect. The paints used by the women are all-natural and clay-based. The primary colours used in are white, red, and black. The designs painted on Khavda pottery are influenced by nature. The artisans take inspiration from the plants, trees, and animals around them. They are unique as the paintings are dotted, so from afar, the meaning of the design is not immediately apparent. This gives it an abstract feel. Upon closer observation, one can see that the dots are carefully and meticulously arranged in repeating patterns. Similar designs have been found in ancient archeological sites of the Indus Valley civilizations, which shows the rich history of this ancient art form. 

Environment

The working conditions of the potters are rough. They work under extreme temperatures in the Kutch region. They also face some serious health risks due to the intense physical work from burning food and their exposure to dust, gas, and smoke from the bhatti (pottery baking kiln). In a more industrial setup, the working conditions involve aspects such as adequate lighting, ventilation, working hours, physical hazards, exposure, etc.

Current Challenges

Khavda is one of the main towns for pottery production. In the contemporary scenario, the potters are suffering because people are giving higher preference to steel and brass vessels, as opposed to the traditional earthenware ones. They are mass produced, have higher durability, lighter, and easier to access. These very qualities also make these vessels a symbol of financial position in rural areas. Due to this, other families from the same village are also buying the commercial vessels. The potters themselves do not use their own items in their houses as much. This leads to a unique juxtaposition for the potters of continuing tradition and modernising.

Additionally, due to the change in climate, the quality of the clay has changed and become more saline in nature. The potters are unable to employ the techniques that have stood the test of time for many centuries, until now. It has led to many issues in production which have been difficult to resolve. It consequently has also led to the next generation of potters having a desire to break away from their family job and find employment in more urban areas.