Dishes cooked in mud pots are more flavourful than when they are done in metal vessels. Similarly, a sip of water is cool and refreshing when they are stored in mud pots. The simple, yet delicate to handle material has the ability to enhance any item that is placed in it. Crafted by the motion and moulding technique by the potter, earthen pots reflect the social, economic and environmental conditions that a culture thrived, and helps archaeologists and researchers understand the roots of our ancient past.
Indian pottery has been found dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. Most Asian nations are pretty well known for their pottery, which is slowly making its way around the world.
According to history, India is believed to be the country where the craft of pottery originated and was carefully sculpted before spreading throughout the world. Actually, there was a time when the old Indian business class considered pottery to be their primary source of income. Indian culture is well visible in the many pottery art forms. As times evolved, as did pottery, particularly in the method of moulding. There are unglazed pottery, glazed pottery and terracotta. The types of pottery are earthen ware, stoneware and porcelain.
Today, it may not be serving its purpose for what it's made, as it requires careful handling and is effortlessly breakable. But it does find its place in the shelves of modern day houses in modern times, posing as an antique piece of traditional lifestyle. Other items made from clay like lamps, vase, matkas, toys, decorations, divine idols and cutlery among others are used occasionally during festivals or guest visits. Also, terracotta painting is considered as the modern day pottery product which is mostly used for home decor for its specialty in creating an ambience of warmth inside the home.
People’s preference of buying earthen products is withering and affecting the business of potters. The practice of making earthen products is not a sustainable form of business beyond festive seasons for most potters. Some potters have contracts with hotels, restaurants and sweet meat confectionaries that use certain styles of products to store and present sweets, including main-course dishes to appeal to their customers and diners.
Startup Culture Shaping the Pottery Business
Pottery in India has evolved over the years into a ceramic art, which has become a source of occupation for many. The wave of startup culture or entrepreneurship has also tapped into this profession. Entrepreneurs are not just limiting themselves to exploring creative ways of moulding this material, but are also providing employment opportunities to many artisans. There is an indefinite number of hands aching to put their skills to use and this profession not only helps generate income yearlong, but preserves the ancient art as well. In a way, the startup culture is reducing poverty and uplifting the livelihood of potters. Since, potters were able to sell their products mostly during festive seasons, but with the help of these companies, they are promised monthly income. Therefore, artisans have their hands full with the work, since pottery items are sold in bulk.
It Doesn’t Take Much to Start a Pottery Business
The pottery industry falls under the small-scale industry and contributes towards the country’s economy. Among the pottery products shipped from the country, the most common products are those that are made up of chemical porcelains, ceramics and other raw materials.
Manufacturing pottery items is said to cost reasonably, as raw materials are locally available and need not be imported. It is the same reason why it’s considered as a small-scale industry or a household industry or at times called as women’s trade. Meaning women can join this profession by working from home, while shouldering household responsibilities as well.
This industry is said to have its income deposited domestically and from international markets as well. Starting this business only requires a low budget investment and artisans can start out on a small scale level. They need not have to worry about the demand and supply often, as these items can be stirred in respective workspaces and can be sold whenever required.
The pottery industry is largely decentralized and less complicated in nature. With a minimum investment, one can start this business and the labour cost is low as well. Since the materials come from natural resources, the materials are locally and readily available. Even the technologies involved are not complex to handle and producing these items need not require much energy. Best of all, the manufacturing is eco-friendly and non-polluting to the environment.
Oldest art forms such as Rajasthan’s Molela Murtikala, Karnataka’s Bridiware, West Bengal’s Terracotta Pottery, Uttar Pradesh’s Black Clay Pottery, Gujarat’s Khavda Pottery, continue to live thanks to these companies and artists who have popularized the art.
A Crack in the Pottery Business?
The attitudes and mindsets of people have changed in tandem with the numerous improvements of forms, substances, procedures, and materials that have been tried and experimented with.
Additionally, India’s competitor in this industry is China, which is said to have staggering imports but is excelling in exports. This leaves potters and clay professionals to shift to other forms of occupation to sustain their livelihood. On top of that, potters are encouraging their successors to choose stable jobs in other fields in the corporate world.
Government Moulding the Business
The Indian government has taken a number of initiatives to safeguard the economic and social interests of small scale companies, and it has been quite supportive of them. These programs are beneficial to business owners from all communities. Ambedkar Hasthashilp Vikas Yojana, Research & Development, Mega Cluster Program, etc., are a few of the plans included in the National Handicrafts Development Program. Under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme, MSMEs can obtain free collateral loans.
Among the government’s many objectives is to improve the sales of pottery products by improving the production through technology provided to potters and reducing the price as well. On the other hand, it intends to improve the skills of SHGs (Small Help Groups) of pottery artisans on focused and decorative products. Through this step, the government plans to encourage potters to set up a unit under the PMEGP (Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program) scheme, this helps potters to graduate from pottery to crockery.