From here & there - Experimenting with clay

With the advent of modern technology, clay pots have lost relevance and only a few families are left with pottery for their livelihood. Virupaksha Kumbara is one such potter who has lingered on. His son Shivananda has explored new possibilities and changed the set perceptions about clay products.

After completing PUC in 2004, Shivananda joined a three-month course conducted by the Cental Village Pottery Institute at Khanapur and got trained in making handicraft items. Soon he began moulding different designs in clay. His major art work is Ganesha and hanathe (lamps). His other products consist of a range of decorative items, some of which are also functional. They include lamps, flower vase, pen stand and images of animals.

In summer, he collects clay from a village tank, stores as mud balls. He works on the items at a stretch and colours them when demand arises. Gold, silver and metal shades are painted on decorative items. He also trains students of a local school in clay modelling.

Shivananda feels that these designs bring more income than regular pots. He exhibits these items at social gatherings, cultural fests and art and craft melas. As an extension of his work, he has formed an organisation, Mahanta handicrafts and pottery training and production institute. In the last 10 years, he has faced ups and downs but overall, his journey has been smooth as the clay.