Crafts Unparalleled#5: Molela Artwork
Sustainable Art Legacy of a Village
This is my fifth entry in Indian unparalleled crafts and artist of which should be celebrated. Today I bring a unique artwork which is hand crafted in a sustainable manner. Molela artwork is a terracotta clay art stemming from the heart of rural India. Molela is a small village of artisan located in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan State of India.
Owing to its close proximity to Banas River this art emerged in this area. What makes Molela artwork unique is the fact that in India terracotta plaques are made only here. The art has great ritualistic significance from the nature of plaques to its origin it is ritually inclined.
The Tale of Its Origin
According to the folklores, a blind potter was summoned by God Devnarayan(Dharamraja) in his dream to make his clay sculpture. The next day the potter collected clay from nearby river and fulfilled the task. His sight was restored and from that day the clay craft stayed in the family of the potter and art travelled through generation. Thus Dharamraja on horse is dominant motif in terracotta. The art is popular among the tribes who worship the local deities. Bright natural colors are used for depiction of God, the color blue signify Kaladev(the dark God) while Orange signify Goradev(fair God).
Sustainable Practice
The clay is locally collected from Banas River and the colors used are natural mineral colors. The clay slip is called Palewa and it attains different colors when mixed with natural colors. For lustrous glow they use Jala, which is lacquer coat. Natural vegetable gum extracted from tree is used as a binder. The art of making Jala is known in a single family. The art is season confined, winter is suitable for making these plaques because in summer the clay cracks. The plaques are made on a surface made with dried donkey dung. The plaques are sun dried and then fired in kiln.
Over the years the art acquired a more dynamic character and along with folk deities various other motifs are drawn. Apart from terracotta plaques, terracotta toys and pottery is made. When one goes onto Nathdwara road the abode of Srinathji, one passes through molela village both the sides of road adorned with terracotta artifices.
The craft is an example of how local village art industries work. The art received several laurels and has received geographical indication due to its local geographical origin.
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Interesting 👌👍🙏
Thank you