Terracotta Craft

An idea takes root at the potter’s wheel. The artisan, while mulling the implications carefully, begins to give it shape. Blurred lines slowly but surely give way to clear, strong shapes, crafted by a loving hand. Baptism by fire completes its journey.

Known by many monikers, “poor man’s sculpture”, “the lyric of handicrafts”, terracotta has certainly held its ground in the face of other polished crafts. Unsurprising, really, considering the proud legacy, rooted in Karnataka’s Kodagu district. For this craft cluster is the source of expertly crafted toys, dolls, figurines of gods and goddesses, lamps, pitchers, the list, like their vision, is limitless.

Let’s not forget, the humble potter’s wheel, though. After all, it is the artisan’s muse-temperamental and encouraging, by turns!