The art of moulding mud pots or moulding other artistic creations is surely a delight to view. Pots that are made from the natural product which is mud that is dug from the earth is moulded, dried and fired to bring out the final result. Surely nothing is better than having to use naturally made products, especially when it comes to preparation and consumption of food. Earthen pots do indeed serve just right when it comes to opting for an organic or more specifically nature oriented lifestyle. The cost of purchasing one does not seem as difficult and are in fact easily affordable than most other products.
And not just pots are made but a variety of other interesting stuff like toys, idols of Gods and Goddesses, flower vase, show pieces, tandoori-ovens, cookery and much more. For years there’s one such place in Bengaluru that boasts the art of pot making to this day popularly known as Pottery town where tons and tons households make and sell mud made creations who have been cherishing the profession for years generations after another. Currently, it has become quite a business, as many potters accept orders from small scale to large scale industries like Savoury shops, vessel shops, and especially restaurants that purchase tiny mud cups to serve in their sweet delight and delicacies as it is not only an attractive factor that sells well to their customers but an affordable one as well. When setting foot in the place one can see hoards and hoards of these small cups which are popularly called as ‘matkas’ arranged and placed out for drying, which seems to be the main factor for business.
A word or two from one of the professional potters, who was polite enough to share his experience, Mr. Rajashekar, a proud Potter by heart, has been into the profession for nearly 40 years, says that, ”I have been moulding pots, toys, idols, and other decorative right from my childhood which I learnt from my father who was a professional potter himself and so was his father and his father’s father as well”. He further adds that, ”it was of my interest that I joined with my father whenever he sat down to spin the wheel for moulding, and like that I took over the profession after my father”, also says that ”my children who assist me when I need assistance, are more bent towards their education which I support strongly, because education is important for their future, as this profession though looks easy but is quite hard to live off in the current era”. So continues a dedicated and hard working Rajashekar as he spins the wheel moulding away his creations.
Looking back at its history the age old tradition of pottery has been existing even during the prehistoric times, ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, the Middle East, the Chinese and other Asian countries, utilized this art for building and for domestic purposes. Fortunately, this art among many others has been kept alive by dedicated craftsmen and potters to this date, so as to still be able to gaze upon such a visionary delight though with the upcoming of many modern technology and innovations, yet that still tends to captivate and continues to be marvelled at is truly an art.
Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Kettel’s sculpture placed near Mayo Hall, M.G. Road
Reverend Ferdinand Kettel was a priest and Indologist who worked in Mangalore, Madikeri, and Dharwad in Karnataka. Popularly well known mostly for producing the first ever Kannada-English dictionary of about 70,000 words in 1894 and studies in Kannada, is also said to have composed numerous poems in kannada. Further he also wrote a book on kannada grammar called, A Grammar of the Kannada language. A sculpture at the end of Mahatma Gandhi road commemorates him. Reverend Ferdinand Kettel was a priest and Indologist who worked in Mangalore, Madikeri, and Dharwad in Karnataka. He is popularly well known for his studies of the Kannada language and mostly for producing the first ever Kannada-English dictionary of about 70,000 words in 1894. And is also said to have composed numerous poems in kannada. Further he also wrote a book on kannada grammar called, A Grammar of the Kannada language. A sculpture at the end of Mahatma Gandhi road commemorates him.
Mahatma Gandhi
The father of the India Nation, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a leader of the Indian Independence movement against the British, is often recognised for employing non-violent civil disobedience, who had led India to Independence, inspiring many activists across the globe. He was very simple and determined by nature, always wrapped a shawl or the traditional Indian Dhoti. A statue of him was unveiled by the then Indian National Congress President U.N Patel on 30th October 1955, situated at the Mahatma Gandhi Park on M.G. Road.Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, an Indian activist was a leader of the Indian Independence movement against the British, is mostly known for employing non-violent civil disobedience and had led India to Independence, inspiring movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. He lived modestly and can ever be seen wearing a traditional Indian Dhoti and shawl, he was very simple and determined by nature. A statue of him was unveiled by the then Indian National Congress President U.N Patel on 30th October 1955, situated at the Mahatma Gandhi Park on M.G. Road.
Queen Victoria
The Queen of Great Britain and Ireland. The statue stands majestically in front of Cubbon Park. The statue was unveiled by George Frederick Ernest Albert, Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and York on the 5th of February 1906. She adopted the title Empress of India and ruled from afar. Her reign of 63 years and 7 months was longer than any of her predecessors and was known as the Victorian Era, a period of industrial, scientific, political, cultural, and military change. The Queen of Great Britain and Ireland. The statue stands majestically in front of Cubbon Park. The statue was unveiled by George Frederick Ernest Albert, Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and York on the 5th of February 1906. She adopted the title Empress of India and ruled from afar. Her reign of 63 years and 7 months was longer than any of her predecessors and was known as the Victorian Era, a period of industrial, scientific, political, cultural, and military change.
Sri Krishnarajendra Wodeyar Bahadur
Sri Chamarajendra Wodeyar Bahadur was the ruling Maharaja of Mysuru between 1881 and 1894. Many of the most famous landmarks of Mysuru and Bengaluru, like Bangalore Palace, Lalbagh Glass House, Oriental Research Institute of Mysore, Maharaja’s College Mysore, Maharaja’s Sanskrit School, Government Office, Lansdowne Bazaar and Dufferin Tower own their existence to him. The Great Maharaja’s statue is also located in Cubbon Park. Sri Chamarajendra Wodeyar Bahadur was the ruling Maharaja of Mysuru between 1881 and 1894. Many of the most famous landmarks of Mysuru and Bengaluru, like Bangalore Palace, Lalbagh Glass House, Oriental Research Institute of Mysore, Maharaja’s College Mysore, Maharaja’s Sanskrit School, Government Office, Lansdowne Bazaar and Dufferin Tower own their existence to him. The Great Maharaja’s statue is located in Cubbon Park.
Diwan Sir Kumarapuram Seshadri Iyer
The statue of Diwan Sir Kumarapuram Seshaadri Iyer, an eminent educationalist and statesman is placed at the foreground of the State Central Library in the middle of a beautiful flowering rose garden. The building was named Seshadri Memorial Hall was built to commemorate him, who extended roads and railway line in the state, initiated Asia’s first hydro-electric project at Shivanasamudram, established the Chamarajendra Water works and supported plans for the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. He was also instrumental in promoting large-scale mining operations in Kolar Gold Fields [KGF]. The statue of Diwan Sir Kumarapuram Seshaadri Iyer, an eminent educationalist and statesman is aptly placed at the foreground of the State Central Library in the middle of a beautiful flowering rose garden. The building was named Seshadri Memorial Hall that was built to commemorate him. He extended roads and railway line in the state, initiated Asia’s first hydro-electric project at Shivanasamudram, established the Chamarajendra Water works and supported plans for the Indian Institute of Scince in Bengaluru. He was also instrumental in promoting large-scale mining operations in Kolar Gold Fields [KGF].
Thiruvalluvar
Thiruvalluvar, commonly known as Valluvar, was a celebrated Tamil poet and Philosopher. He is best known for authoring the Thirukurral, a collection of couplets on ethics, economical and political matters and love. The text is considered the greatest work of Tamil Literature and one of the finest works of ethics and morality. The statue of Thiruvallur after unveiled in Bengaluru, by the then TN Chief Minister Kariunanidhi, to represent the settling of an 18 years bitterness, raising hopes of heralding a new era of cooperation between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Dr.M.H Marigowda
The former Director of Horticulture, who made Karnataka a model state in the field, by revolutionising the crop development. He was honoured with ”Jewel of Horticulture” title. The statue was unveiled by then Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily on 24th April 1993. The 8th of August is celebrated as M.H. Marigowda Foundation Day. he is known to have dedicated his life for the development in the field of horticulture, as it would help in uplifting farmers and in providing healthy food for the society as a whole
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
The architect of the Indian Constitution. Former Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri S.R. Gundu Rao unveiled this statue on 19th August 1981. It is located in front of Vidhana Soudha. Bimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, was Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement and campaigned against social discrimination towards the untouchables, while also supporting the rights of women and labour. He was Independent India’s first law and justice minister and founding father of the Republic of India.
Artastic Bangalore 