Sundaribai Rajawar

Sundaribai’s home is a museum in itself. It starts with the verandah and the entrance, where clay relief motifs can be seen casually attached to walls, along with an electrical switch, tools, and half-completed clay panels.

Intricate trellises, with parrots sitting on them and monkeys hanging from archways, lift your eyes away from her very simple surroundings in which a television, a few plastic chairs, and a steel cupboard are the only visible luxuries.

The walls of Sundaribai's house are a testimony to her thriving talent. Her family has kept her kitchen intact, showing off the whimsical wall mural she created. They occasionally repaint the mural to keep it vibrant and alive.

Here, Sundaribai creates circles out of bamboo stripes, fitting them inside the wooden frame to make a lattice structure.

Once the lattice frame is ready, it is covered with clay and left to dry before it is painting upon. This structure becomes a part of the architecture of the clay relief work.

The structures are further embellished with individual deities, animals, birds, serpents et cetera. To make these forms, dried straw is bound together in desired shapes. Here, we see the basic straw structure of a human figurine.

The craftsman also adds the details while shaping the figurine.

Once ready, the figurines are left to dry in the sun.

Next, the clay figures are painted upon. The base has a coat of white lime paste.

They are then painted in bright colours; reds, greens, blues and yellows to highlight the art.

The bright colours that the craftsperson uses creates contrasts, dynamism and vibrancy.

The paints available to Sundaribai are easily obtained from small town shops.

In this image, you can see the finished and the unfinished bird figures.

The artisans also make various clay toys for the market, using the same basic method. Each of these toys highlight their own skills.

They make various clay animals, like birds and tortoises.

Two kids play with hand-painted clay toys, as a craftsperson looks on. These clay toys are an attraction for village children.

Sundaribai showcases her creations of clay toys and wall figurines.

The clay relief figurines can be seen casually attached to the walls.

For her work, Sundaribai draws inspiration from the Ramayana and other Indian epics. Seen here is a mural showing an episode from the Ramayana; of Hanuman carrying the mountain with the Sanjeevani plant to save Lakshman’s life.

Inspiration is also drawn from various episodes of Lord Krishna's life. This clay relief work shows the episode of Lord Krishna and Kaliya, the snake.

Sundaribai has been awarded nationally, as well as internationally, for her clay relief work. She displays her mementos proudly.

Sundaribai's skilled craftsmanship has been documented by researchers.

Various publications have also featured Sundaribai's work.

Sundaribai, with her skills and unique ideas, takes up challenging projects, and is indispensable to architects and interior designers who want to use her skills.

Sundaribai Rajawar is not just a dominant member of her household, but an inspiration and a mentor to others in the village.

Read more Chhattisgarh Clay Relief here:
- Sonabai Rajawar
- Museum of Clay Relief
- Chhattisgarh Crafts Map