Kagzi Jali Lota

The artist collects clay before monsoon from various ponds of Ramgarh, District Alwar, Rajasthan to produce terracotta pottery. The types of clay are thoroughly mixed and then filtered through a fine sieve to remove small stones etc. Thereafter this mixture is kneaded by adding small quantities of water. To make a product needs high degree of concentration, skill, strong imagination and very special fine handmade tools. During trimming the products artist uses handmade tools and precious stone for smoothening the product. Different tools are used.
It is scraped with a typical knife type tool is used to make cut work in the pot. This has to be done very carefully because a small mistake can spoil the whole effort and the pot (Lota) can break. While cutting the jali a balanced moisture presence is a must otherwise if it dries up then cutting making is not possible. Secondly if dryness comes then again there is 100% possibility of breaking. So the process of “cut work (Jali)” is the most difficult step and it needs full attention.
After drying the items, they are dipped in red clay solution & rubbed by less wet cotton cloth in sun light. After this, items are put in a kiln (aahva) for firing to get temperature in kiln; artist uses wooden powder and dung for firing. This art is quite old but is popular even today.
In my hometown Alwar this is known as “Kagazi Pottery” (as it is made with a thin layer of clay).It is very light in weight. Other thing is that it requires a lot of experience, patience, fineness and designing skill at the same time. Due to Modernization this “Art” is fading from our society. The shape and design are basic which depicts the art of Pottery Making in our society. Generally a Lota is used to keep water.
I have done little innovation and made this Lota as a T-Light. This has given a new dimension and a new look. I have made cut work design in the shape of a drop of water which connects this Lota with its basics- “Lota for water” This design and concept will be one of the strong point in connection tradition with a modern touch.

Dimensions ( in inches) – width x height:

Approximately - 5”x5”

Country of Origin - India