The origin of pottery dates back to the origins of human civilization. Pottery making is humanity’s earliest and one of the most significant activities as it enabled him to store food and carry water. There exists multiple varieties of terracotta pottery options, however, Nizamabad specializes in production of Black Pottery wares only.
Nizamabad in Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh is located at a distance of approximately 1356 km from Delhi. While travelling in Northern India, it's hard not to be struck by the beauty of artistic black pottery which can be spotted at nearly all key stations of Uttar Pradesh. This black pottery is the core economic activity of the region.
The craft flourished during the Mughal era and a few hundred years ago, a group of potters came to Nizamabad from Gujarat to settle by the banks of the river Tamsa The roots of the pottery tradition in Nizamabad can also be traced to the region's rich clay deposits found along the banks of this river. The Kumar community is particularly associated with pottery making in this region who combine utility with the magic of decoration and the clay found in the area is particularly well-suited for the production of this pottery.
The most remarkable thing about black pottery, also known as "kala mitti" pottery, is the lustrous black colour along with silver grey etchings which make the piece truly a work of art. However, the process of making this beautiful craft is both lengthy and tough.
The clay is firstly taken by the nearby ponds which is then beaten to a fine powder while adding water as required. Potters often find it hard to get the right clay because it is usually mixed with small stones which are required to be separated from the clay, resulting in the process becoming exhausting and lengthy for them. Once the wet clay is dried enough and becomes sufficiently hard to work with, it is placed on the potter’s wheel to give shape and structure to the pot which is given a smooth texture by removing any unwanted or uneven layers. The pots are then left out in the sun after applying a coat of mixed water and clay to them. After drying, mustard oil is applied to the pots in order to maintain flawless shiny surface which is followed by carving freehand designs to it using needles. Lastly, the pots are then baked at a specific temperature, which is significantly high in order to achieve the iconic black colour of the pots.
A mixture of zinc and mercury is processed into powder which is put on the design of the pot to successfully complete the entire process. The silver-grey etchings contrast with the black background making the piece truly a work of art.
Nizamabad black pottery has gained recognition as a form of Indian handicraft, receiving a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2015 but it still faces challenges from industrial goods despite the innovation in designs and collective efforts of families living in that area to sustain the market. Both men and women put in their heart and soul in crafting this pottery and it is their love and passion for their work which gives the pottery its real beauty.
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