Pottery of Southern India is an ancient traditional craft which has been continuing since centuries. Almost every village in South India consists of vast communities of potters, who are engaged in creating beautiful pieces of pottery. The main tools utilized by these potters are convex stone, flat mallet and the conventional wheel. Pottery artefacts include many unique objects like flower vases and idols and Hindu deities. Potters use the wheel to create country roof tiles and other products. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are the major centres of Southern India which specialise in pottery work.
Pottery of Andhra Pradesh
Various pottery items which are meant for daily use in households are created with terracotta and clay in Andhra Pradesh, particularly Chittoor. This state prepares black pottery engraved with silver patterns, which is termed as `bidar` work.
Pottery of Karnataka
Natives of Karnataka believe that food cooked in pottery objects is healthy, which has encouraged the existence and expansion of the pottery craft in this part of India. Flower pots and idols of Gods and Goddesses are crafted with red clay in Karnataka. Potters of this region also make cylindrical-shaped roof tiles, which keep the rooms cooler. In 2010, the state government of Karnataka established `Pilikula Heritage Village` near Mangalore, to patronise the vast number of expert artisans residing in the state. Decorative items, flower vases, kitchenware, pots, lamps and many other essential handicrafts are manufactured by the local potters. Khanpur in Belgaum district of Karnataka is known for pottery, which includes large sized containers and jars, for storing food items. The local clay is excellent and a thin variety of pottery has developed with designs embossed on it.
Pottery of Tamil Nadu
Red and black earthenware crafts are famous in Tamil Nadu, especially in Vellore which is situated in the Arcot district. Black pottery work of Usilampatti, Madurai is an ancient tradition. Its products are painted with a yellow substance. Figurines of deities and toys are created in southern parts of Arcot, mainly in the area of Panruti. A unique type of pottery craft is practised in Karigari, Arcot district, Tamil Nadu. Its products are manufactured in a special procedure, wherein the base of the items are made with china clay, termed as `namakatte`. Marvellous ornamentation, artistic shapes and glazed colours adorn the pottery works of this region. Other significant artefacts of Tamil Nadu are water jugs, ashtrays, paperweights, dinner sets and animal figures. Distinctive forms of pottery are found in Karukurichi, which is located in Tirunelveli district of this Indian state.
Pottery of Kerala
The pottery works of Aruvacode village near Nilambur are well-known. The local `Kumbharan` community create and sell pottery items since many generations. Household wares, kitchen utensils and garden furniture are a few of the various materials made by potters. Innovative pottery crafts are made by them, utilizing terracotta and the locally available clay.
Numerable forms of glazed pottery are available in the markets of Southern India. Experimentation and innovation in the field of pottery-building has imparted an exclusive characteristic to the pottery products of South India. Several items of domestic utility and household decoration are produced by the dexterous pottery artisans of this portion of India. Kiln dried pottery, red and black pottery are amongst the many pottery handicrafts of this part of the country.
