Terracotta Craft
Clay Purification:
The clay is procured from surrounding villages and nearby ponds. The clay is filtered by the sieving process to separate stones, mud lumps and other impurities. This processed clay is made into the dough by adding water. The clay dough is finely mashed by mixing and by stamping process so that the elasticity in the clay will be enhanced and for an easy throwing process. The prepared clay dough is covered in a polythene sheet to retain moisture. Now the clay is ready for the throwing process.
Turning or Throwing:
In Kundapur, the potters use an electric turning wheel for faster productivity. The mixed clay is placed in the center of the turning wheel. As the wheel starts rotating, the artisan keeps shaping the round clay ball. Initially, a hole is made at the center to create a cavity. Once the center space of the pot is created, simultaneously, the bottom of the pot is also created. Then the artisan pulls the clay upwards for shaping. Pressure is applied with both hands for proper shaping and evenness. If required, the artisan removes excess mud from the product being made to maintain the even thickness of the walls. Once the product is turned, it is removed with the help of a small thin wire which separates the product from the potter’s wheel. The finished article is allowed to dry under the sun for 2 to 3 days and sent for baking process.
