Making Process

Design Resource

Athangudi Tiles

Making of Athangudi Decorative Floor Tiles

Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, J. Antony William and Susanth C.S.

Making Process

The manufacturing process is carried out with immense skill and precision. This simple yet dexterous process involves creating the tile from scratch to the point of creating designs and finishing the product. Locally procured sand and clay are sieved/ filtered together and then grinded to form fine powder. Cement is mixed with water and then converted into dough. Glass frames are cleans and placed on a raised structure. A square wooden frame is placed over the glass to form the tile.

Metal frame which is designed according to the motif is placed on the glass to obtain the design. Artisans pour different colors as per the requirement in different compartments to form the desired motif. Sometimes the color is dropped/ poured directly on the glass top and swirled/stirred manually to obtain a freestyle design. Once the patter is filled with color a mixture of dry sand and cement is sprinkled on it. This helps in holding the colors.

A mixture of sand, cement and baby jelly is prepared with bare-hands. Thereafter a layer of mortar is spread on the tile with the help of a spade and the tile is leveled. Extra cement is removed with the help of blade. The frame is eased out from the tile after the cement is partially set. The tile is dried overnight and dipped in a water tank for curing. It is then taken out and the edges are finished.

‹ › ×

Search form

Athangudi Tiles