Society    
From Clay Pottery to Balucharis

From the newborn babe who sleeps blissfully in the warm folds of the intricately embroidered kantha to the affluent executive whose living room floor is adorned by a Darjeeling carpet with brightly coloured hill motifs; or the village girl who carries a coy smile under her nolok (nose ring) to the urban lady who flaunts her elegant baluchari sari- handicrafts of West Bengal are loved by all age groups and strata of society.

In the past, craftsmen of Bengal were patronised by the ruling aristocracy and the temples resulting in the formation and growth of large professional communities specialising in specific crafts skills. In the present age, village artisans with his simple tools handed down to him by his forefathers use simple natural raw materials to create masterpieces. From the less known feather dusters to the famous clay terracotta horse sold in leading Indian emporiums- Bengal produces a wide variety of handicrafts.

Perhaps the oldest of crafts of Bengal is clay pottery. The creative hands of the kumbhakar (traditional potter) make a wide array of items used for both domestic and religious purposes. As Durga Puja nears the artisans of Kumartuli in Kolkata and Krishnanagar in Nadia enter into a competitive spirit to create majestic idols of the goddess, the cream of which go on to win prestigious prizes.

Another handicraft patented to West Bengal is solapith. The malakars (solapith artisans) use shola- an herbaceous plant growing in Bengal’s marshes to make beautiful dolls, toys and floral decorations. 

The sutradhars of Midnapore are experts at carving out of the animal horn-combs, dolls, toys, jewellery, walking sticks, penholders and cutlery. The kasthakars or wood carvers make finely shaped and intricately carved doors, rathas, idols of god, masks and toys. Neem and bel wood are used to make religious artifacts. Items of rose and sandalwood gained popularity as ivory became a scarce raw material for carving. Kalighat dolls of Kolkata and the owl of Natungram deserve special mention.

Sonar Bangla makes not only gold jewellery but also ornaments of silver, ivory, shell and glass. The swarnakars (goldsmiths) have always occupied a reputable position in society. Silver filigree works are made out of the goldsmith’s tools. Besides ornaments ashtrays, vermilion pots, rose water sprinklers, vanity bags, card cases and ornament boxes are also made out of silver.  

Ivory carving flourished in Bengal under the patronage of the Nawabs of Murshidabad and the Pal dynasty. A wide array of ivory items including bangles, rods, sticks, discs, caskets have been excavated from the 24-Parganas.

The long seacoast and the wide riverbanks of Bengal are peppered with sea and river shells. Seashell collection is not just pursued as a hobby to decorate the living rooms of Bengal. The sankha or conch shell was the war horn of ancient times and is indispensable at all religious occasions. Traditional married women wear conch shell bangles. Table lamps, forks, spoons, wall hangings and door screens are also carved out of shells.

– Continued

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