Process, Techniques, and Materials Used:
Three different colours of clay are used to create the final finished product: the red clay
(geru) for the pots and the white and black clay used for painting on the red base. The clay is collected by the artisans from three different sites and prepared for use by grinding and sieving.The process followed appears very simple but requires extreme dexterity and skill. The style of painting is also unique. Out of the locally available clay, pots of various sizes and shapes are made on the wheel while the toys are moulded by hand. This task is always performed by the men. Once the articles are well dried, they are coated with watered down red clay (
geru) to achieve the typical dark terracotta colour that forms the base for the painting, after which the
products are dried once again in the sun. The painting on the pots and toys is done only by the women. A dramatic combination of black and white – also obtained clay – is used,. The clay is mixed with water to achieve the required consistency and the designs are painted on the pots with the help of a twig. These brushes of bamboo sticks are sharpened at one end and beaten to form a brush-like end. The article to be painted is rotated either on a pivot or manually on another pot. The skill shown by Aminaben as she manipulates the pot with one hand and the ease with which a blemishless design is transferred on the pot with the other hand is fascinating.