Handmade in India

KUMBHAR KAMA - TERRACOTTA AND POTTERY
Production Clusters
Bargarh district:
Barpali
Sambalpur district:
Dhoapura
Sonepur district:
Sonepur
Products
Traditional pots
Lamps
Candle stand
Tulsi chaura - planter
Animal figures
Roof tiles
Haandi, Maathiya -
water containers
Surahi, Kalash, Gadu,
Rukha, Todiya -
cooking vessels
Tools
Kumbhar Chako -
potter`s wheel
Ugalni pitna, Majhia
pitna, Chiknaini pitna
- wooden beaters
Peend - stone support
Paali - bamboo stick
The terracotta tiles made in Barpali village of Bargarh district have images of
animals that have mythical allusions. They are portrayed with vivid expressoins,
which almost brings them to life. People of the village believe that these tiles,
locally known as khappar, bring fortune to their homes. Images of monkey, mouse,
lion, elephant and birds are put atop the tiles. The mouse signifies Lord Ganesha`s
mount, the bee and pigeon symbolize the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi and the frog
is a sign of the monsoon. The khappar are made by the Rana craftsmen who belong
to the potter`s community in western Orissa. The same community in Sonepur is
known for making the special Lankapuri Hanuman figure, wihch on the festive day
of Bhadrap Amavas is carried with a flaming tail throughout the town. People of
Sonepur believe that the town is Lanka where, legend says, Lord Hanuman`s tail
was lit up and he went on a rampage and burnt it down.
The craftsmen in Sambalpur also make
utesils and water pots for household use.
They also make ornate tulsi chaura, in
which the tulsi, basil herb is planted, and
worshipped. The terracotta pots are thrown
on the wheel and beaten for shaping and
finishing. They are sold in local markets.
Inset : A turtle roof tile.
1 Storage pots made by the throwing
technique in Cuttack.
2 Figure of Lankapuri Hanuman from
Sonepur that is made for a ritual associated
with the epic Ramayana. Sonepur is
considered to be the island Lanka by the
local population.
3 Barpali roof tiles are used to ward off evil.
The owl is regarded auspicious as it is
Goddess Lakshmi`s mount.
4 Bride and groom seated in a palanquin.
Bhubaneshwar.
5,6 Figures of monkeys on Barpali roof
tiles.
7 Frogs and other animal forms crafted on
roof tiles.