Dastkari Haat Samiti
Dastkari Haat Samiti
In the small, remote village of Puhputra, in Sarguja District of Chattisgarh state, murals and architectural features inside homes, as a crafted art form, did not exist till recently. Fashioned by hand, out of clay, straw and bamboo, this particular craft form of clay relief was started by craftswoman Sonabai Rajawar in the 1950s. Unlike many other crafts, it was not based on heritage, tradition, prayer or sacred rituals but was born as a result of her isolation.
Tribal Clay Relief: People and community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The houses in the village, at first glance, may look innocent of art and fairly typical of Indian villages, covered with tiled roofs, surrounded by pools of water, dusty roads and some greenery.
Tribal Clay Relief: People and community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
But take a walk around and you'll begin to find clay relief art scattered across the houses in the village.
Sonabai's legacy
Sonabai Rajawar passed away in 2007, but the story of clay relief craft of Chhattisgarh cannot begin without paying homage to her as its originator. Sundaribai, another artisan from the same vilage was inspired by the skills of Sonabai and continues practising their craft till today.
Tribal Clay Relief: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Apart from Sundaribai, the feisty and active craftswoman, there are others who have been taught by Sundaribai herself.
Tribal Clay Relief: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Sundaribai's assistant working on a frame for the relief work, at her house.
Her house begins with the verandah in which clay relief art mingles with electrical switches, tool shelves and half completed works.
Tribal Clay Relief: House of Sundaribai Rajawar (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Sundaribai's home has simple surroundings in which a television a few plastic chairs, and a steel cupboard are the only visible luxuries.
Tribal Clay Relief: Work by master craftsperson (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
But her home is a museum in itself!
Tribal Clay Relief: House of Sundaribai Rajawar (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Relief motifs can be seen casually attached to walls, and half completed clay panels lean against walls, waiting to find a suitable space.
Tribal Clay Relief: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Simple paints and tools are used for clay relief painting. These are easily available in the local market.
Tribal Clay Relief: Mastercraftsman stories (2017-10-06)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Standing next to another wall mural by Sundaribai, her assistant plays the traditional tribal music.
Tribal Clay Relief: People and community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
There are also other artisans who have gained confidence to venture into clay craft on their own. Here, a woman shows her collection of tribal clay toys in a local shop. Toys are quite popular with the locals.
Tribal Clay Relief: People and housing (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Here, a figure of a woman is part of a pillar.
Tribal Clay Relief: People and community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
These artistic pillars are an example of people's unique artistic expressions.
Tribal Clay Relief: People and community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Elaborate doorways in the house are also a common sight in the village, an example of the village folks' artistry.
Tribal Clay Relief: People and community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The village houses are a hub of creativity. The surroundings, with clay relief work, are an inspiration for the younger generation.
Tribal Clay Relief: Roof inside the house (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The locals also use various textiles to decorate their houses.
The locals also use various textiles to decorate their houses.
Living museums
The homes of craftsmen in the village are on the path to becoming a veritable museum of whimsical, naïve and very original folk art and craftsmanship. A little effort and encouragement by patrons could find more homes becoming hubs of creativity special to this tiny village, turning it into what can well be imagined as a museum of clay relief art.
Tribal Clay Relief: Work of Sarguja (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
What Sonabai started has today created wonderlands and quirky modules that offer the world this unique form of art and craft.
Tribal Clay Relief: Work of Sarguja (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Some legatees of Sonabai have tried to turn the village into a public art space with their whimsical, naive and very original folk art.
Tribal Clay Relief: Work of Sarguja (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Sonabai Rajawar’s legacy lives on in the village, through the inspiration, fame and the whimsical folk art she left behind.
Tribal Clay Relief (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Read more Chhattisgarh Clay Relief here:
- Sonabai Rajawar
- Sundaribai Rajawar
- Chhattisgarh Crafts Map
Text: Jaya Jaitly
Photography: Suleiman Merchant
Artisans: Shanti Bai, Ram Singh
Crafts Map: Sundari Bai and DHS artists
Ground Facilitator: Charu Verma
Documentary Video: Suleiman Merchant
Curation: Gunjan Tripathi and Ruchira Verma
