Terracotta Craft of Allahabad
• Tools:
Simple and basic tools are used by artisans to create beautiful and intricate designs. Also, different types of moulds are used to produce the clay products.
The different tools used are listed below:
Clay Modeling Tools:
These are bought from local market to create the idol detailing.
Thaapi:
A round shaped stone with handle used to flatten the clay like a shape of chapatti.
Knifes and Blades:
These are used to create the motif patterns and decorations on the idol.
Potter's Wheel:
It is used to turn the clay into objects.
Brushes:
Different sizes of brushes used to paint the products.
Wire Tools:
These are used to smoothen the surface of the product.
Kiln:
It is the traditional furnace.The finished products are burned in furnace.
Kandaa (Gobar):
Cow dung cakes are used to produce the heat in the kiln.
Wood and Dry Leaves:
Locally procured wood and dry leaves are also used as fuel.
• Raw Materials:
Different Raw materials used are as below:
Kaali Mitti (Black Clay):
It is the main raw material used to produce the clay products. This clay is procured from banks of Yamuna River as well as from the local village area.
kagaj (Paper Pulp):
The clay is mixed with kagaj - Paper pulp, synthetic gum and medical cotton so that it takes proper shape of mould.
Carrom Powder:
It is used to sprinkle on the mould to avoid the contact with mould.
Water:
Water is frequently sprinkled while turning the product on the potter's wheel.
Slurry Mud :
The clay is mixed with water to make it slurry. This slurry mud is used as adhesive while fixing the parts of object.
Paint:
Colored chalk powder and Gond is mixed and used as paint to color the products.
