India is diverse in many aspects. And one
can easily find this diversity in profusion
in the domestic pottery that is found in
innumerable shapes and sizes. This aspect
is almost inseparable from any Indian scene.
The common earthenware is unsophisticated.
The shapes are natural, simple but attractive
and true to the material. In India, the
emphasis has been on the chasteness of the
line to lend dignity to the form. Above
all, it has to be superbly functional. The
most common clay object is the all-purpose
kullar (cup-like container) used for keeping
water or tea and is sometimes decorated
with geometrical and floral designs. Pottery
used for festive purposes is particularly
gay. The ones used for storing grain or
water is huge. There are immense variety of objects specially
produced for the occasion like lamps for
Diwali, toys for Dussehra, pots for seedling
at Sankranti and the gaily-painted pots
for marriages.
Common pottery comes in a bewildering profusion.
Being functional, each has a special use.
The differences between two pots, which
superficially look alike, are subtle.
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