Blue Pottery of Jaipur
Blue Pottery is widely recognized as a traditional craft of
Jaipur blue pottery has strong influences of the Persian ceramic style but it has developed its own designs and motifs. Inspired more from nature, the pottery is adorned with profusely animals, birds and flowers with a hint of Persian geometric design in the compositions.[2] Some of this pottery is semi-transparent and mostly decorated with Mughal arabesque patterns and bird and other animal motifs. Thus, the semi-transparent pottery has a gentle mix of Mughal arabesque patterns with bird and other animal motifs forbidden in Persian art of Islamic origin.
Jaipur blue pottery, made out of ceramic
Being fired at very low temperature makes them fragile. The range of items is primarily decorative, such as
History
The use of blue glaze on pottery is an imported technique, first developed by
Other accounts of the craft state that blue pottery came to Jaipur in the early 19th century under the ruler
However, by the 1950s, blue pottery had all but vanished from Jaipur, when it was re-introduced through the efforts of the muralist and painter Kripal Singh Shekhawat,[11] with the support of patrons such as Kamladevi Chattopadhaya and Rajmata Gayatri Devi.[1] Today, blue pottery is an industry that provides livelihood to many people in Jaipur. Jaipur blue pottery, despite new innovations in vessels and designs , has retained the traditional blue and adheres to the traditional motifs rendering it instantly recognisable. The fountains inside the Polo Bar and the Maharani Suite within the Rambagh Palace complex are examples of some of the finest craftsmanship of Jaipur Blue Pottery and evidence the support of royal patronage to the art.[2]
Process
Making blue pottery is a complex and time-intensive procedure and is done in many steps. Being fired at very low temperature makes the process a fragile one, fraught with risks and requires practice, patience, and expertise. The absence of clay is what distinguishes blue pottery from traditional pottery. The materials used to make blue pottery are quartz stone powder, powdered glass, borax, gum, Multani mitti (
The artisans traditionally used to offer prayers before they would set up the furnace. Some artists even today continue the practice to pray for successful baking of pottery. Preparing a furnace for the firing of the pottery is a delicate process, and any misstep can lead to cracks in the product. The products are kept inside a furnace to dry. For approximately 4-5 hours firing of the pieces takes place with meticulous care to maintain even temperatures to avert any cracks. Before taking out the products, the artisans wait for the kiln to cool off completely. It might take 2-3 days before the products can be taken out. The finished products are lightly cleaned before they are showcased or packaged.[12]
Revival
Jaipur's blue pottery has evolved significantly in terms of materials, styles, and forms. The raw materials used and making processes have changed over the years. Previously, the glazed coating used on pottery contained lead but an increasing awareness of harmful effects has led to lead-free production. In many places, diesel furnaces are being used instead of traditional wood or charcoal-fueled kilns. Even the designs and motifs are moving away from classical repertoire to cater to modern sensibilities and market demands. The revival of Jaipur blue pottery art owes a lot to the artist Kripal Singh Shekhawat. Seeing the dwindling interest in the art, and deplorable state of the artists , he made it his mission in reviving the art. He garnered support of Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur and others to give a much needed a fillip to the dying art of Jaipur Blue Pottery.
In its new lease of life many Blue pottery shops and training schools have sprung up in Jaipur. Kripal Kumbh, the pottery studio founded by Kripal Singh Shekhawat is still in operation. Established in 1995, Rural Non-farm Development Agency, RUDA, aims to promote artisans of Rajasthan at the global level has also contributed to promote blue pottery of Jaipur.[13] Mrs. Leela Bordia with ceramic training from USA. She extended the art of blue pottery to beads, necklace, pendants and other ornament like items. her inventory also included items like tiles, bathroom fittings etc. that gained popularity with interior decorators.[.[14] It has been suggested that to revive, and promote the art of blue pottery sustained efforts are required to train the artists to use standardized tools, diversify into utility products by moving beyond decorative ones, and to assist and enable marketing avenues. [15]
Notable training center in Jaipur is Sawai Ram Singh Shilp Kala Mandir,[2] but many artists also conduct short training programmes at their workshops to sustain the legacy of Jaipur blue pottery.
References
- ^ ISBN 978-81-7755-257-7. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
- ^ ISBN 9781942322054.
- ^ "Craftmark Certified Processes: Blue Pottery". All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015.
- ^ "Blue Pottery - Rajasthan Industries". Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Museum, Alankar (2011). Tryst with Tradition: Exploring Rajasthan Through the Alankar Museum, Jawahar Kala Kendra. Jawahar Kala Kendra.
- ^ "Blue Pottery - Rajasthan Industires". Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ a b Subodh Kapoor. "6". STATEMENT OF CASE FOR BLUE POTTERY OF JAIPUR IN RAJASTHAN (PDF). Govt. of India. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ NOTES ON JAIPUR POTTERY. The Journal of Indian Art, 1886-1916; London Vol. 17, Iss. 129-136, (Oct 1916): 27-34.
- ^ Tillotson, G. (2004). The Jaipur Exhibition of 1883. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 14(2), 111–126.
- ^ Tillotson, G. (2004). The Jaipur Exhibition of 1883. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 14(2), 111–126.
- ^ "Blue Pottery" (PDF). All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2015.
- ^ shubhangi (4 March 2016). "Making Process". D'Source. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Colour me bright & blue". Deccan Herald. 20 February 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Gupta, Anil K. "A Historical and Artistic Study Of Blue Pottery of Jaipur".
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(help) - ^ "Blue Pottery by BIJO JOSEPH PURACKAL - Issuu". issuu.com. Retrieved 23 November 2022.