Manufacturing Terracotta Tiles in Barapali

A documentation of the terracotta tile-making process in Barapali, Odisha

Dastkari Haat Samiti

Dastkari Haat Samiti

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

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

Terracotta: People and community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Procuring and preparing the clay

The raw material for making terracotta tiles is clay, which is extracted from the bed of the village pond when the water level is very low or dries up in the hot summer months.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Craftspeople find space in or around their homes to store the raw material till they begin work.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The clay has to be soaked in water for two to three days and then mixed well before it can be used.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Once the clay is ready, the potters work it on the wheel to achieve the desired form.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The craftsman’s workshop occupies his dwelling areas and many stages of the work is carried out in different areas of his home.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Earlier, moulds were also used to make tiles, but these have now been replaced by the wheel.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Apart from making terracotta tiles, the potters make a variety of household objects, many of which are used in their own homes.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

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

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The semi-prepared clay vessel is ready for drying.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Once removed from the wheel, the clay forms are kept in the sun to partially dry and tighten.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Shaping and designing clay forms

Once the clay form is partially dry and tightened, the craftsmen evenly shape them using a wooden beater and a stone base. Decorative animal figures, made by hand, are attached to some roof tiles at this stage. 

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A potter demonstrates how he evenly shapes the clay object by using a wooden beater and a stone base.

Terracotta: Tools (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The wooden beater and stone base help the potter achieve an even shape.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Semi-finished products have designs made on them, and details are added while the clay is still wet.

Terracotta: Tools (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The craftsmen use various tools to design and add finishing touches to the terracotta products.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Drying

Once the terracotta forms have been shaped and decorated, they are left to dry. This is done in two parts. First the forms are kept in the shade for a little over a week, and then dried in direct sunlight. This is done to ensure the pieces dry gradually.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

To ensure gradual drying, the prepared articles are left in the shade for eight days, after which they are left in the sun to dry further.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Pots of different shapes and sizes kept to sun and dry before baking is a regular sight in Barapali.

This is the last step before the terracotta forms can be baked in the kiln.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Once the utensils are sunned, they are ready to be fired.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Firing in the kiln

After the utensils and roof tiles are sunned, the potter prepares a furnace to fire the utensils and roof tiles. The furnace is fuelled with a combination of rice husk, cow dung and small pieces of wood. 

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The furnace is brought to a temperature of 800 Celsius, and is kept alive for five to six hours.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The clay articles are put in the furnace and are completely covered.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The furnace is kept alive for five or six hours, and can sometimes extend to twelve hours in the months of winter.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

After some hours, openings are made below to ensure airing.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The furnace is then allowed to cool for twelve hours, before the fired terracotta products are taken out.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The final product

The Ranas of Barapali village are known for their roof tiles. Different centres have their own specialisations. The craft is practiced in and around the artisan's family dwellings.

Terracotta: Process (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

The basic form of the tiles is made on the wheel and kept in the sun for the clay to partially dry and tighten.

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

Decorative animal figures, made by hand, are then attached to some of the tiles.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The steps involved in production are fairly tedious and time consuming, but the craftsmen consider it as an act of duty, to use their skills as a service to their society.

Terracotta: People and community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The craftsmen’s wares have a market locally in the village.

Terracotta: Process (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Additionally, they are sold in exhibitions and bazaars held in towns and cities.

Terracotta: People and community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Manbodh Rana, a master craftsman, explains the historical importance of this clay toy.

Terracotta: Process (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

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

Terracotta: Products (2017) by Manbodh RanaDastkari Haat Samiti

Read more about the craft of Barapali terracottas here:
- Training and Workshops
- The Products
- 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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