Terracotta jewellery epitomises ethnic elegance and are specimens of skilled craftsmanship. These pieces are the products of painstaking labour of dexterous artisans who have the enviable ability of crafting intricate as well as exquisite designs…
Himanshu Guru
Clay can be moulded into different forms and some among them could be aesthetically pleasing. Beautiful products made of clay attract a bevy of enthusiastic customers. Terracotta is all about producing props out of clay. With the help of craftsmanship, any material can be transformed into products that appeal to the senses. Decorative, utility and jewellery terracotta items are much in demand. Recently, a workshop was held at the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Bhubaneswar where experts dwelt on the intricacies of terracotta jewellery.
“Terracotta items made of clay assume a semimetal form after being burnt. The secret is we mix brick crystals to make the stuff stronger,” says Kavita Mohanty, the trainer. She is Government of India’s empanelled designer of the art.
“Utility items like cups, fruit bowls, candle stands, flower vases, lamp stands, tables, chairs and dining sets come in intricate terracotta designs. Also, decorative items like pen stands, hanging pouches, tortoises, horses, elephants as well as idols of Ganesh and other gods and goddesses are in demand,” Kavita adds.
Asked about terracotta jewellery, the chief of the Monomanini Institute of Art and Craft said: “Fashion-forward women who belong to the elite sections of society have a fascination for these items. “We add beats, artificial stones and colours to decorate the pieces. These days many women love to flaunt terracotta jewellery at marriage parties. We craft pieces of different hues that match different dresses and saris. We also craft thematic pieces.”
About whether terracotta jewellery makers are able to earn a sustainable income, Kavita says: “Of course. Products of skilled craftsmanship are in high demand and artisans can hope to sell items at exhibitions and in the open market.”
The ITI workshop has 20 students and among them is one Jhina Sahoo from Bhubaneswar, a student of dressmaking at the institute, who explains what precisely is taught at the workshop: “We receive training in buttons of different shapes and sizes like oval, long, triangular other than bracelet, necklace, earring, paper weight as well as decorative items,” she says.
“You need to collect clay with sufficient elasticity and process it to take out the pebbles and other junks. It should then be kept wrapped in a piece of cloth for a couple of days. Later, items can be made which depends upon your artistic aptitude and that need to be fired at the furnace, called bhatti, to get the final produce,” Jhina says.
“Black soil with elastic capacity is good. But one may not recognise it instantly. Clay available in the market is just about fine when it comes to making terracotta jewellery,” she adds.
Nininee Tripathy is the assistant training officer in the dressmaking section of the ITI and the workshop was her brainchild. She says: “It takes months to master the art. However, to grasp the basic aspects we had invited the expert.”
About the requisite tools terracotta artisans use Nininee says: “A big needle, wooden stick (specially carved to make terracotta items), thin iron wire and latkan are needed. After they are fired, the buttons become strong, but still, if needed, we cover them with cloth to give a fashionable look.”
Bhubaneswari Naik is the guest faculty of dressmaking at the institute. She says: “We make straight, curved, crossed, square and oval beats and put them in a thin iron wire to make a necklace. Other fancy materials like artificial stones, colourful beats, kundan (a type of artificial stone) are added to give it a glittering look. These days women are more passionate about terracotta jewellery than gold or diamond pieces.”
“My father knew a lot about tailoring though it was not his profession. I have learned something about dressmaking from him. He wanted me to take admission in ITI,” said Mamuni Kisku, a native of Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district. She is a first semester student at the institute.
“I learned the whole process of making terracotta items like candle stands, earrings and lamps,” she says. She showed items she had crafted at the workshop. After completing the course Mamuni wants to work and showcase her skills in Bhubaneswar.
