Pottery Town of Bangalore makes Eco Friendly Ganesha Idols
Pottery Town, Bangalore caters to each and every festival demands of Bangalore. With Ganesh Chaturthi fast approaching one of my friends wanted to buy one idol directly from the potter’s hands and that too, one which was not painted with the toxic colors. She decided to head there.
Potters Town of Bangalore is famous for making eco friendly Ganesha idols. Do I leave the opportunity?? I too tagged along. I had never been to Potter’s Town before so I imagined the place to be with confusing lanes and by lanes, but to my surprise it was just a single street.
Dates for Ganesh Chaturthi depends on lunar calendar and vary every year. Check here: Dates for Ganesh Chaturthi Festival
Pottery Town makes Eco Friendly Ganesha Idols
Pottery Town of Bangalore was just a single street with around 25 to 30 families in this profession; catering to the needs of Bangalore population. Unfortunately modernization is taking its toll and the business is no longer profitable. It is during the festival times the potters make some money.
Traditional families go for the handmade clay idols with a touch of gold paint to highlight the features. We saw Lakshmi at work in a dingy room, with her deft fingers over the wet clay still making the idols to meet the orders placed by her customers.
See one more local artist giving finishing touches to an idol: Faces of India 64
What we saw there was feast to our eyes, Ganesha idols of all hues and shapes, most of them covered with plastic sheets. Only a couple or two sample idols were left uncovered in front of every shop.
Pottery Town of Bangalore makes Eco Friendly Ganesha Idols
Every act from mixing of clay, baking and drying all are managed in that tiny room. The clay is purchased from distant places like Hoskote, Kanakapura, the prices have gone high she told us.
Though the town claims to make eco friendly idols I did see them use some metallic paints. That is make them more attractive. Lakshmi said that final bit of glitter is added to attract customers, but we are happier to sell unpainted ones she said when I asked about the paints. I doubted if those golden paints were ecofriendly though.
Pottery Town of Bangalore makes Eco Friendly Gowri Ganesha Idols
At Pottery Town they also make other items like mud pots, earthen pots especially for cooking, designer terracotta pots. In fact they deliver custom made pottery items too. Soon it will be Diwali, they are getting the earthen lamps ready. I was surprised to see pots in every size there.
Origin of Pottery Town of Bangalore
“Pottery Town was formed when state Government gave 60 potters a designated area on a 30-year lease. The 23 families that are still in business here hope that this lease will be renewed. They hoped the land will be given to them next year, in the light of the work they are doing.”
Today people buy these products for decoration and not for utilitarian purposes so the demand is less. Will these families be able to continue and flourish in this trade?
There, we saw a potter’s grandson happily playing in the roads. Will he be a potter too? He has dreams in his eyes, his little fingers meddle with clay often I am sure, but then will he want to be a potter or change tracks and abandon this trade??
Important tip: You will not find any potters at wheel on a rainy day. So if you are planning to visit try and go on a sunny day to avoid disappointment.
Location of Pottery Town Bangalore
Potters Town is a wonderful offbeat destination in Bangalore. If you are not a keen lover of malls take time out to visit this place. Life is slow, potters can really surprise you with their creativity. Address is: Williams Town, Benson Town, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560046
Nearest Metro station to Pottery town is the one at Cubbon Park via Haines Rd and Queens Rd. It is 3.6kms, you can take bus or private taxi from the station to Pottery Town.
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Hello,
what an interesting post… and what a beautiful child.
All the best!
With eco-friendly Ganesha’s and diyas growing in popularity, maybe Pottery Town will see good days in due course.
What lovely pottery! And that last shot of the child is gorgeous.
Thank you.I was not aware of potters town.May be during one of my visits I shall visit.
These are just stunning. Those child’s eyes just melt my heart. Beautiful!
Sigh…. kids in coming years would only know harry potter :))
and as called for in your blog, if govt’ doesn’t step in… pottery
is going to join the dinosaurs clan… become extinct..?!!
Nice pictures.
On potter’s grandson… what do those eyes behold??? Agree with
Raji… “.. Hope he grows up to be a happy person..!!”
yes, its one amazing area of Bangalore..and great pics..:)loved the last one
A touching pic there. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi.
I’ve worked in the computer industry all of my adult life. I had heard that Bangalore was a hi-tech town. Fascinating to read that they’re known for ceramics too. The work and the people are beautiful.
Love these idols; brought one from Delhi last February!
happy Ganesh Chaturthi!
wow! What a beautiful blog and most amazing photos. I particurlarly love the Elephant shot. I am in complete awe of the gentle giants and find them to be one of the most beautiful creatures.
I’m Kj and came over to your blog after you left a lovely comment on my blog for the foto friday I did that is hosted by mychaosmybliss.
I want to give my heartfelt thanks for the kind comment you left. It’s always nice to have my “Mothering” receive notes of appreciation — more so when offered up by a stranger. So, thank you for reminding me that my little girl will be just fine without me, because of me.
That child is beautiful — great shot.
Happy Ganesh Chaturhi, Indrani…
Hope that child grows up to be a happy artist…
I have been waiting to click a pic of the idols kept for sale at RV road….since 2 years. I am gonna make it this time….wanna go there tomorrow morning to get that colourful pic. Very nice shots
Wow, very fine artwork!
the child’s eyes say so much.
beautiful photos to give a feel of the place.
Toujours aussi “étranges” les photos !
Et l’enfant a un joli regard !
i do hope the govt will give them the land in recognition of their craft
so nice of you to share such wonderful photos….have a great week ahead
fab shots! i can see you from the eyes of the child!
Those are very nice shots! 😀 Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful post and photographs. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to you!
That was some colourful Ganesh.
Good portrait.
Oh my, that’s a beautiful child. Great photos of a wonderful art. I hope they can and will continue.
i love the innocene on the child’s eyes.
i hope you can visit my ws entry here. thanks.
Nice one Indrani. That photo of the little child says it all. Hope he grows up to be a happy person.
What a beautiful child. Very interesting post and wonderful photographs. I hope that potters will be able to continue to earn a living. Handcrafted items are always so much more beautiful to me than the mass produced ones.
hi indra, my friend told me about this festival yesterday and i think it would be an interesting one. i told him that he take lots of photos on the day of festival tobe shared with me. 🙂
happy WS!