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.
Artastic Bangalore 