The Popular, Traditional, and Innovative Terracotta Products from Barapali, Odisha

A look at some products made by the potters from Barapali, Odisha.

Dastkari Haat Samiti

Dastkari Haat Samiti

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

Roof tiles

The 'kumbhar', or the potter community in Barapali village in the Bargarh district of Odisha, is locally called 'Rana', and is known for its unique terracotta roof tiles. These are made from locally available clay and decorated with animal figures. Terracotta is possibly one of the earliest and most basic of the crafts and is found in various centres in Sambalpur, which is in the north-western part of Odisha.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

The 'Ranas' of Barapali village are famous for their roof tiles, a product unique to the village.

These unique tiles are decorated with animal figures, which are considered to be auspicious symbols and believed to bring good luck to the house.

Terracotta: Process (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

The potters draw inspirations from local myths and fashion whimsical animal figures, like this mouse, who is symbolic of Lord Ganesha's mount.

Terracotta: Process (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

Inspiration is also drawn from local beliefs as the tiles are decorated with bees and pigeons, which symbolise the arrival of the Goddess Lakshmi.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

Roof tiles are often decorated with frogs, which is a sign of the arrival of monsoon.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

The traditional roof tile, considered as an auspicious symbol to bring good luck to the rural household, is seen in the urban market as a quaint decoration.

Potter Manbodh Rana shares the history of this art form in his village.

Terracotta: Process (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

Utilitarian products

While the 'Ranas' of the Barapali village are known for their roof tiles, they do produce other products for the local market. Different centres have their own specialisations. The craft is practiced in and around the artisans' family dwellings.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Community potterDastkari Haat Samiti

The potters make a variety of household objects, many of which are used in their own homes.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

This lends a charming sense of integrated living, where natural materials, their skills and the utility objects of their everyday life are part of an organic whole.

Terracotta: People and community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The artisans' wares are sold at a market, locally in the village.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Community potterDastkari Haat Samiti

Besides utilitarian objects, the potters also make terracotta statues.

Terracotta: People and community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Potters, like Manbodh Rana, also make figures, every harvest season in September, to celebrate the contributions of livestock towards farming.

Terracotta: Process (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

Terracotta figures, when attached to wheels, some sticks and a string, become a popular pull-along toy for rural children.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

Catering to the urban markets

Barapali terracotta artefacts are now found at crafts exhibitions and bazaars in towns and cities. They catch the attention of urban dwellers as charming objects that can add to the decor of their homes. In fact, they are now seen as collector’s items in a world full of synthetic toys and containers.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

A traditional water jug has whimsical additions, like these squirrels.

All the animals have some significance beyond mere amusement and embellishment, and everything in nature is respected and honoured.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

Planters in the shape of animals, like this tortoise, are also some of the popular artefacts that the potters make.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

The Barapali potters have incorporated elements of local myths and beliefs in their pottery, like this planter with a frog. Spotting a frog is a sign of the arrival of monsoon in Odisha.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

Birds are a common decoration on planters and tiles.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

A whimsical rendition of a cow adds a unique touch to this planter.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Community potterDastkari Haat Samiti

The craftsmen also make utility objects, like coin boxes, in the shape of everyday items, like a radio, and paint them in attractive colours.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Community potterDastkari Haat Samiti

A brightly painted clock is actually a coin bank for children. They are sold during the festive season, after the monsoons, when potters do the most business, and people, including children, have some money to spend.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

Barapali potters love depicting animals of all kinds, but birds and frogs are probably their favourites.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Read more about the craft of Barapali terracottas here:
- The Process
- Training and Workshops
- Crafts Map

Credits: Story

Text: Jaya Jaitly
Photography: Chirodeep Chaudhuri
Artisans: Manbodh Rana and fellow potters
Ground Facilitator: Ankit Kumar
Documentary Video: Ankit Kumar
Curation: Gunjan Tripathi

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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