A brief study on Sacred Pots of West Bengal

Abstract

Clay pots in India have related to mankind from the dawn of civilization, and much even before that. The excavatory remains found at the sites of pre historic times and of the later eras provide the authentic facts of the use of clay pots which were designed by early humans for storing food and liquid. Gradually he decorated them with colors, making geometric patterns on them also. The art was simple and consumed for the purpose of sacred and household. This tradition continues and till date it is moving in its all-pure form in all over India. The techniques have become different now due to the passage of time which provides more fineness in their quality and standards. Also, the decoration on the pots was done in two major ways either by coloring them or incise them. The much-resembled art can be seen in West Bengal which is majorly done in clay and baked clay. Artists with his creative mind and magical hands give shape to numerous types of pots. Clay and terracotta pots are the part of the day to day routine life of the people of West Bengal; either it can be the festival or sacred occasion or the simple house hold task. The following study provides a glimpse of such unique art namely the sacred clay pots and objects used occasionally in festivals and sacred ceremonies.