INTRODUCTION
The pottery industry in India has a rich and ancient history, dating back thousands
of years. It is one of the oldest crafts in the country and has evolved significantly
over time, blending tradition with modern techniques. Here’s an introduction to
the pottery industry in India:
Historical Significance:
1. Ancient Origins: Pottery making in India dates back to the Indus Valley
Civilization (c. 2500–1700 BCE), where pottery was crafted for everyday use
and religious purposes.
2. Cultural Heritage: Different regions in India developed unique pottery
styles influenced by local traditions, customs, and rituals. Each style often
reflects the socio-cultural identity of its region.
Types of Pottery:
1. Terracotta: This is one of the most common types of pottery in India, made
from clay and typically left unglazed. It includes functional items like
utensils, figurines, and decorative items.
2. Studio Pottery: In recent decades, there has been a rise in studio pottery
where artisans create unique, handcrafted pieces using modern techniques
and designs.
3. Traditional Styles: Various regions in India have their own distinctive
pottery styles, such as blue pottery from Rajasthan, black pottery from
Manipur, and red pottery from Madhya Pradesh.
Techniques and Processes:
1. Handcrafted: Traditional pottery in India is largely handmade, using
techniques passed down through generations. Artisans use wheels, hand-
building techniques, and kilns for firing.
2. Decorative Techniques: These include painting, carving, incising, and
glazing, depending on the regional style and purpose of the pottery.
Economic and Cultural Impact:
1. Livelihoods: Pottery continues to be an important source of livelihood for
many communities across India, especially in rural areas where traditional
methods are preserved.
2. Cultural Preservation: The pottery industry plays a crucial role in preserving
cultural heritage and craftsmanship. Government initiatives and NGOs
often support artisans to sustain these traditions.
Challenges and Modernization:
1. Competition: Mass-produced ceramics and modern materials pose a
challenge to traditional pottery, affecting demand and market
opportunities.
2. Sustainability: Efforts are being made to promote sustainable practices in
pottery making, including eco-friendly materials and techniques.
Conclusion:
The pottery industry in India is not just a craft but a cultural legacy that continues
to thrive despite modern challenges. With a rich diversity of styles and
techniques, Indian pottery represents a blend of artistic expression and functional
utility, reflecting the country’s deep-rooted traditions and heritage.
This introduction highlights the significance of pottery in India, showcasing its
evolution from ancient times to the present day, and its enduring cultural and
economic importance.
PREAMBLE
In the present day, the Indian red clay pottery (Terracotta) industry has been put
forward as a major cottage industry for use & throw product for catering,
artefacts, various types of utensils, garden products etc. Presently Indian pottery
industry is suffering from irregular supply of raw materials, lack of working capital,
use of old obsolete technology, quality improvement, lack of good marketing
facilities, and lack of management problems, etc. Owing to this a large section of
the Kumbhar community, which is traditionally making pottery, has drifted
towards other means of income opportunities. There is a need of capital infusion
for increased productivity of the sector. The Government and non-government
initiatives can solve the problem and develop the industries at its best level which
has potential to replace may plastic products and create sustainable employment.
Since the artisans are in the hands of stereo type machinery, which are not
affecting the Quality or quantity of products. Therefore, it is necessary that the
entire programme for the development may be organized to electrify the national
stage of employment opportunities and bring the long suffering rural and
artisanal communities to the main stream of national prosperity. . The major
components of this holistic approach will be to address issues of
1. Permission to potters to obtain the clay from the ponds and other locations.
2. Development of all-weather baking facilities for potters.
3. Dissemination of information about benefits of pottery products.
4. Providing direct market linkage .
5. To set up Centre of Excellence for Terracotta products with KVIC’s Training &
Demonstration Units, Skill Development Institutes, Mattikala Boards of different
states related to Red Clay / Ceramics Technology.
DEFINITIONS
i. SHG of pottery artisan – A homogeneous group of pottery artisan from 5 to 15
families of a particular location and those are ready to work with utilising
common facilities. From each family 2 to 4 persons will become members of same
SHG. The minimum size of SHG will be 10 members and maximum size will be 15
members. For common work/activities the funds of SHG will be operated by a
common bank account. But individual family will run their own business by
themselves by using common facilities in rotation. The SHG can sell their product
through a common Brand and counter or each family can also sale their individual
product from their own counters.
ii. Wheel Pottery: Pottery activity carried out using traditional potter’s wheel
comes under wheel pottery. Improved ball-baring potter’s wheel has to be
operated manually and it is replaced by Energy Efficient Electric Potter wheels.
iii. Press Pottery: Pottery activity using press and dies i.e. toggle hand press
machines, screw press machine, etc.
iv. Jigger & Jolly pottery: Pottery activity using Jigger-Jolly machines along with
various types of POP models & moulds.
v. Artisan: The traditional potter / non-traditional potter who is engaged in rural
pottery.
vi. Beneficiary: Artisan identified and trained by KVIC.
“A field of clay touched by the genius of man becomes a castle.”
Pottery Business in India
Pottery making business in India is a beautiful example of the journey covered
by an entrepreneur from ‘Mud to Money.’ Pottery in India has evolved over
the years into magnificent ceramic art. It is not only a piece of clay for daily
utility but is also the most significant factor of the source of income for many.
Today entrepreneurs are not just exploring their creative side by
manufacturing different pottery patterns but also building their careers based
on this creativity. The pottery business in India provides mass employment to
the people and the upgraded standard of living. Both the rural and city people
comprise the massive workforce in the industry and have contributed
tremendously to India’s economy.
The pottery industry comes under the small scale industry of India.
Pottery is exported to over 140 countries from India. In the year 2019-
20, India has exported pottery worth of 9.97 USD million. The volume
of export in 2019-20 was around 5164429.
Skills Required for Running a Pottery Business in India
To run a profitable pottery business in India, one must possess entrepreneurial
skills more than artistic talent. You must have the ability to balance your artistic
skills with an entrepreneurial spirit, ensuring your art makes its way out of the
studio and at the global level into a client’s home. Skills such as product
development and innovation, marketing, accounting, and sales should be
mastered to ensure long-term success.
India’s government has been very supportive of the small scale industries and has
initiated several schemes and measures to protect their financial and social
interest. The entrepreneurs belonging to all communities can draw benefits from
these schemes. Some of the plans under the National handicrafts development
program include Ambedkar hasthashilp Vikas Yojana, Research & development,
mega cluster program, etc. Free collateral loans to MSMEs under Atma Nirbhar
Bharat Scheme.
From the text mentioned above, it is evident that the pottery industry is one of
the most critical sectors, especially for developing countries like India. These
sectors generate more employment in rural areas and help in the economic
development of a nation. The Central and State governments are boosting and
supporting this sector through policies. They are all geared up to provide
infrastructural support, up-gradation in technologies, reservation of handicraft
products, incentives, etc. through its specialized institutions in the form of
assistance in obtaining finance, marketing, training, and development. Though
this industry has a rich heritage and tradition, the artisans are still in stale
condition because of individual components. To improve the overall state of the
pottery business in India, we, as an Aatmnirbhar Sena, are at the forefront of
helping the budding entrepreneurs identify the various requirements of the
manufacturing centers, technological development, and advancement of the
centers with help structures. We are also aiding them to conduct a proper review
of the industry, analyze the need, gap, and formulating an adequate plan essential
for business growth.
Keeping traditional art alive
India is well known for its tradition and so is its tradition of cooking with
earthenware. It’s an age-old concept that has deserted with time. This golden
concept was then washed over by modernization as we moved to the stainless
steel or bone china or melamine era.
One can get a rare antique of an earthen pot in a few homes these days, the
reason being its natural benefits. Earthenware has tremendous health benefits.
Cooking food with it embarks nutritional value of the clay to the food. The porous
material of clay helps water seep through it, letting you enjoy the mildly cool
water. Not only this, but the mineral composition and porous nature of clay pots
and other clay products also accentuate the flavour of the food we eat.
Mitticool is all about re-growing these rich lost roots of Indian culture into the
modern environment. Mitticool prides its initiative on preserving our old culture.
We produce clay products and clay pots that lead to a healthy, natural life and
also revive our rich tradition.
A small town man with a vision
A man with vision, mission and ignition Mr Mansukhbhai Prajapati is a small-town
man with big dreams. And true to his dreams, he is progressing well on this path.
His dream child, Mitti Cool, is an attempt towards connecting mankind more
irrevocably with clay and soil. He is already paving the way for Mitti Cool to go
both national as well as international. Though some traces of clay products can
still be seen in some parts of the core and rural India, time has made its memories
fade in the population’s mind. Mr Prajapati aims to refresh these memories and
remind people about the benefits and uses of clay products.
Originally hailing from Wankaner, Gujarat. Today Mansukhbhai Prajapati is a
successful entrepreneur who relished the idea of modernizing the knowledge that
the craftsmen of this country carry. But who can imagine him being a boy who
was initially working at a tea stall? Soon, he ditched the tea stall to work in a
factory, but all along he really dreamt of creating his own machine like a Tawa
(flat iron plates used for baking bread) with clay.
Awards & Achievements
We aim for the best
At Mitti Cool our vision is to bring the best of clay in front of the entire world. We
want to highlight all the amazing benefits of using clay products. Not only do you
get much more tasty and nutritious food but clay also adds more health points to
the cooked food. Mitti Cool also abides by and support various government
schemes and campaign like Clean India, Make in India, Rural Employment Scheme
etc.
We intend to be admired for our people, partners, and products globally. Mitti
Cool targets to launch a customer-friendly environment and symbolize our culture
worldwide.
We aim to represent India at the international level. Our mission is to bring forth
our precious knowledge of science and cooking and introduce it to the eastern
countries and around the globe. We target to set new standards and plant ideas
to discover opportunities overseas. Mitti Cool aims to set a presence in more than
50 countries in the upcoming years.
