Introduction to Kota Pottery

Kota pottery is a specific centuries old craft carrying the legacy of the Kota tribe residing in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. The Kota tribe belongs to the artisan culture and this art has been passed on for centuries by the women of Kota tribe in particular who have strived to shape and maintain this art. Mostly utilizing clay found close to home, the pottery, is characterized by its blackened surface, produced through traditional methods of smoke-firing. Kota pottery, unlike much of the many traditional pottery practices in India, is Kota pottery history dates back to their tribe and lifestyle. The Kota community worship different deities like Aynor and Amnoor and also perform some rituals before making earthenware. Not limited to its religious importance alone, this craft is an important source of livelihood and an integral part of the cultural identity of the Kota people. Today, however, Kota pottery is challenged in terms of both sustainability and recognition as modernization and the decline of craft traditions take their toll. Knowing its elements, themes, and importance it is a way for us to acknowledge the art of this form and enables us to learn about how we would be able to continue to support and protect it in modern times.

Geographical Context and Origin

Nilgiris, also in Tamil Nadu, is a very lovely highland exotic zone – with spatial qualities of rounded hill of various types, and is actually settled shrub land, woody banks, and upscale environment wild life. The Nilgiris, situated at the confluence of the Western and Eastern Ghats, are home to a number of indigenous communities, including the Kota tribe, a small, but culturally relevant tribe known for their artisan crafts. The Kota lifestyle and traditional occupations have been formed over generations in the Nilgiris by the natural resources in the area and by the cool climate and fertile valleys.The Kota tribe, which exists only in the Nilgiris, occupies seven localities called Kokkal (the word means “village” in the Kota tongue). These villages—Kunda Kotagiri (Menad), Kind (Kurga) SolurKokkal (Kurgoj), Kollimalai (Kolmel), Gudalore Kokkal (Kalasu), Pudu Kotagiri (Porgad), Thiruchigidi (Thiskad), and Keel Kotagiri (Kenad)—are close to streams and the grasslands that sustainably underpin their agricultural and artisanal livelihoods. Agriculture is their main profession, but what separates them is their craft skills; blacksmiths, carpenters, rope-makers, potters to name a few, make them an artisan community.Especially Kota pottery has immense cultural and spiritual value. Limited only to women, generations of background lie within the craft symbolizing the tribe’s deep connection with nature and their divine beginnings. Located in the Nilgiris, the unique black pottery produced here is crafted using traditional hand-moulding processes from locally-sourced natural clay and the traditions of smoke-firing. Besides being used for day-to-day activities such as cooking and storage, these pots also have ritualistic significance, particularly used for religious purposes and other traditional festivals.The Nilgiris Natural resources, geography, and trib­es timeless identity stimulatethedevelopmenttraditionalinpotteryKotaNatu­ralresourcesPotterykota000KotaPottery is a traditional way of life for the Kota people of the Nilgiris and still plays an important role in their identity as well as their livelihood.

Historical Background and Cultural Significance

Kota pottery dates back centuries in the Nilgiris and is a apparent cultural and spiritual identity of the Kota tribe. Long involved with many crafts–blacksmithing, carpentry, pottery—the Kota, an artisan tribe, have long been seen this way. Out of all the activities, pottery is the only one which is carried out by women only and inherited from ancestors. The Kota community worships two gods —Aynor and Amnoor — and claims that the craft has been derived from these deities.Pottery too is an integral part of the Kota tribes traditions, both in terms of religion and also culture. Kota pottery is different from other tribal pottery traditions as it serves more than just as a household utility. Heavily tied to festivals, worshiping and social customs. Handmade in clay and burnt in open kilns, the pots are used in agricultural rituals, temple rituals, and other festivals. The community believes in sacred vibrations in these earthenware vessels that cannot be replaced.Kota pottery from essential utility items has gradually evolved into a representation of culture and identity. Although it is still used as a cooking and storage medium, its decorative and ceremonial uses have become more prominent. As a result, Kota pottery is significant not just as a physical craft but as a living tradition, expressing the spiritual and aesthetic heritage of the Kota people, and today, initiatives are being undertaken to conserve the art of Kota pottery.Our subject for the day was Kota pottery in the Nilgiris, its geographical origins and historical roots and cultural significanceComing to the next module, we will understand about the Kota tribes and their customs, the contribution women played in making of pottery and the process of pottery making.

The Kota Tribe and Their Pottery Traditions

The Kota Tribe, a lesser-known artisan tribe from the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nādu is as colorful as their crafts. Pottery-making is one of their traditional arts, and among the most defining as an expression of their identity and spirituality. Kota: Unlike other parts of the world, all aspects of pottery is made solely by women, and this is passed down from mother to daughter. The pottery is mostly black in color, which is how they strengthen it during a smoke-firing process to make it shiny. Kota pottery are not merely utilitarian items but ceremonial, ritualistic, and functional, as pots serve as cooking vessels and storage, and in religious offerings. It follows a rigorous tradition, first by sourcing clay from specific areas, before forming, drying, and firing using open-pit kilns.But today, the demand for Kota pottery has dwindled on account of industrial alternatives and limited market access available for artisans. However, government initiatives and craft revival programs are trying to keep this practice alive, as Kota pottery indeed is an artistic and cultural heritage which one should not go ashtray. When we discover and embrace these artisans, we help keep alive a centuries-old craft tradition.

The Kota Tribe

Kota tribe is a Scheduled Tribe native to Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. Until they reached Michiyen, they were see as having strong craftsmanship, and were called artificers, particularly in pottery, blacksmithing, and carpentry. The Kotas see their roots in the divine drops of the gods Aynor and Amnoor– the two gods, who, the Kotas believe, formed the community and whom they worship as their chief gods. The word Kota is frequently decoded as "King" — a hint to their noticeable greatness in the district.The Kota were once critical to the socio-economic makeup of these hills, making tools, earthenware and musical instruments for communities around them. What made the Kotas, one of the tribal groups in the Nilgiris different from the other groups is that the scope of their work was more to do with artisan work than agriculture.

Customs and Lifestyle

Hinduism is the main religion of Kota people but nature and their ancestoral worship are mixed with sanatan. We are also told that their temples are unusual in that there are no idols, only a symbol of a bow and arrow denoting their gods.Men folk of Kota wear a male upper garment named 'Varadu' and lower garment called 'Mundu', while women folk wear a 'Mundu' with a 'Dupatti' and traditionally they used to wear only white garments. One of the customs of the Kota tribes women is of their hair dressing style, that when they cross their teenage they are believed to raise their hair and till the age pass, only Mandoo leaf is used to tie up their hair.

Population and Settlements in the Nilgiris

The Census of India 2011 reports Kota population to be just 2024 men and women situated across seven villages in the Nilgiris district. In their language these villages are the so-called ‘Kokkal' (meaning: village). They are spread across five taluks —

• Menad Kunda Kotagiri
• Kurgahi Solur (Kurgoj)
• Kollimalai (Kolmel)
• Kokkala (Colloquially known as Kalasu) of Gudluя
• Pudu Kotagiri (Porgad)
• Thiruchigadi (Thiskad)
• Kodi Kotagiri (Kenad)

The Kota traditionally occupied the mid-elevations of the Nilgiris, most noticably avoiding the steep mountains and the lowland plains, and each village usually comprises 80-100 houses and are sited close to streams and fertile grasslands.The Kota tribe leads a stingy population life in delicate settlements, stressing the true burnt needing for cultural restoration with adaptation without the slight loss of their dexterous skills.

The Role of Women in Kota Pottery

Pottery in the kota tribe is a woman craft as only women are involved in making clay pot. For centuries, the tradition has been preserved — making Kota pottery one of a kind in the realm of tribal and regional pottery in India. Blacksmithing, carpentry, and agriculture are tasks primarily performed by the men of the community, while pottery is still an exclusive area of expertise for Kota women.These women, called koith in the local dialect, take the work from their mothers and grandmothers, and so pottery is a crafty skill learnt by generations by practice and oral knowledge and not by institution. Not only does this help reinforce their cultural identity, but it also acts as a token of their heritage, as well as their skill in this textile form, within the community.

Traditional Techniques Passed Through Generations

While the women of Kota don t use potters’ wheels, expertly moulding the clay by hand, wooden paddles and stones. The process involves:

1. Harvesting and Preparation of Clay: Clay is harvested by women from specific locations near rivers. The clay would be cleaned by removing the stones and dirt to make it smooth and ready to be used.
2. Shaping the Pots – They use bare hands or basic tools two during the pot shaping process. Each pot is handcrafted and often beautifully and differently designed.
3. After the pots have been shaped, they are dried in the sun before being fired. They are then fired (baked) using an open fire, fuelled by samai (millet) husk. Which gives Kota pottery a dark black colour and firm finish

Pottery as a Cultural and Economic Contribution

In addition to its use as a medium for everyday functional items, pottery in Kota culture has a ritualistic and economic aspect. These pots, used in religious ceremonies, household storage and for festivals. But modernization of crafts industries and factory units of utensils have threatened the survival of this traditional art of work. Despite these challenges, Kota women continue to make pottery effectively keeping it alive as an art form thousands of years on.

Pottery-Making Process

Kota tribe profession Pottery making process: Pottery making process in Kota tribe is a traditional process and only women make such clay pots in this tribe. This requires multiple careful processes, all the while preserving the simplicity and strength of each piece, as well as their ritualistic significance.

Clay Extraction and Preparation

Clay Preparation Pottery making starts with the collection of fine quality clay. The Kota women dig the clay along some riverbanks and in the forests of certain specific areas usually close to their houses, where the soil composition is more suited for clay works.

• Clay Collection – Clay is mined from natural deposits, generally near water bodies. The tradition of knowing where to find the best quality clay is inherited from generations.
• Washing & blending – After collecting, the clay is sieved to clear all the stones, roots, and other debris to make it a smooth mixture.
• Mixing and Kneading – The clay washed to remove impurities is then mixed with water and kneaded again to achieve the desired viscosity and elasticity suitable for shaping.

Molding, Shaping, and Drying Techniques

Instead of using a potter's wheel, which is common in many traditional practices of pottery, Kota women shape their pots using their hands.

• Hand Moulding and Shaping – The ladies expertly shape both pottery with their hands, wooden paddles and smooth stones to ensure a uniform structure.
• Shape and Polish – Some pots have patterns etched on them while others are polished to a smooth texture using traditional tools. The design is often steeped in cultural meaning.
• Sun Drying – After the pots are shaped, they are sun dried in an open area for few days to remove the moisture content of the clay before the pots can be fired.

The handcrafted nature of Kota pottery makes every piece unique and retains its actual as well as cultural significance while being used both for domestic and ceremonial purposes.

Ritual and Ceremonial Importance

Kota pottery is used not only for day to day purposes, but also has an importance in religious rituals and is even a part of various cultures and communal traditions. These pots are not merely mundane objects, but are intrinsically woven within the spiritual and social worlds of the Kota tribe. Its practice is clouded by centuries-old traditions and is considered a gift that has been passed down from the gods.

Annual Clay Extraction Festival

Kota pottery is made after a ceremonial ritual of clay extraction which is an important date in the community´s calendar.

• Selection of Sacred Clay – Annually, the Kota women collects clay from the allocated riverbank or forest where they are allowed to dig clay in a ritualistic ceremony. Sourcing the clay is sacred work, as the earth is believed to be the giver of all life and needs to be treated with respect and reverence before her resources are taken.
• Offerings and Prayers – The women perform prayers in a ritualistic manner before lifting their clay and they even dig the ground from where they take the clay.
• Community Involvement – The festival is a unifying experience where multiple generations of women come together to mine, wash and process the clay.

This yearly practice echoes the Kota tribesman ethos of eco-friendly and mindful craftsmanship.

Religious Rituals and Traditional Ceremonies

Many religious and lifecycle rituals utilize Kota pottery, clearly documenting the spiritual element of the community.

• Worship Pot – Pot specially made for performing rituals in temples, during weddings, etc. These are thought to contain spiritual power and left at sacred sites.
• Ritualistic use in festivals – Kota pottery used for storage of holy water, grains, etc., and used in festivals devoted to gods Aynor and Amnoor, the main gods of the Kota people
• Marriage and Birth Rituals – An authentic Kota wedding involves the use of clay pots fashioned by hand which signify well-being and fertility. Likewise, delivery rituals are related to the use of customized pots, symbolizing shelter and health.
• Death and Mourning Rites – Similarly, pottery features prominently in mourning practices, with unglazed pots broken as part of a customary adieu.

These rituals and festivals keep Kota pottery alive, making it more than an art form but a part of the tribe’s identity, thereby preserving their culture from one generation to the next.

Economic & Social

It will not be an exaggeration to say that Kota pottery was a prosperous craft in the past, and today we are left with enormous downturn and challenges which are both economic and social. Despite the cultural and religious significance of the pottery-making tradition among the Kota tribe, the art has been negatively affected the sustainability of the art due to modernization, the reduced need for pottery and the lack of market access in the past. Still, with the proper tool set for recovery; such things can have something retail related to them yet again.

challenges the kota potters face in modern times

Kota pottery faces several economic and social hurdles despite its rich heritage:

• Decreasing Market – People are less inclined to buy conventional poterry because society is increasingly accustomed to mass-produced metal, plastic, and ceramic products in their daily lives. Kota potters say many local communities are opting for less expensive, machine-made equivalents, resulting in a drop in their sales.
• Limited Market Access – Disorganized marketing and distribution channels make it impossible for Kota artisans to reach a larger customer base. Most of the potters have a better market in the village or they prefer local fairs due to which their income is limited.
• Time-consuming & Low Yield – Making pottery in the old-fashioned way begets pottery; it is a very time-consuming, labour-intensive and skilled process. But many artisans are moving away to other livelihoods such as agriculture or wage labour as the prices are very low, and there is no financial incentive.
•   The Constraints of Environment and Raw Material – The access to quality clay is declining due to changes in environmental policies and urban sprawl. Artisans often relied on places close to home to harvest natural clay, but those areas have become off-limits or emptied of resources essential to keeping this craft alive.
• Change of Hands Goes Unattended – Younger Kotawalas are inclined away from pottery-making due to economic uncertainties. Some choose to migrate to cities because of the job prospects, and the number of skilled potters is slowly decreasing.

The Potential for Commercial Revival

However, there is a huge potential to revive Kota pottery as there is an ever-increasing demand for handmade, eco-friendly and cultural products. We can bring back and promote the craft, by:

• Artisan Cooperatives and Government Support - Establishment of self-help groups and artisan cooperatives can assist potter in having better market prices and easy access to raw material and group marketing. Various government schemes to promote tribal crafts can offer monetary support and skill development training programs.
• Promotion Online/Global Markets – e-commerce sites, social media, exhibition/fairs and other international business promotion techniques like public competitions can connect artisans to a worldwide market which can generate larger volumes of orders and justify higher margins.
• Sustainable & Designer Collaborations– Kota pottery can be reinvented to suit the modern lifestyle in collaboration with designers, architects, and eco-conscious brands. This could be a great way to tap into the home décor, luxury tableware, and boutique gifting segments.
• Cultural and Heritage Tourism — Introduction and promotion of Kota pottery as a heritage craft through workshops, live demos and eco–tourism helps tourists experience this raw craft and, in turn, artisans reap further benefits.
• Promotional and Awareness Programs — Awareness about the historicity and cultural significance of Kota pottery through museum displays, programs in schools, and media coverage can stimulate interest in the Craft and will lead to its Continuity.

Analysing these challenges and then unlocking the requisite strategic intervention would enable Kota pottery to evolve from a declining tradition into a reinvigorated cultural and economic asset; one that can, as we approach the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, reiterate that centuries-old craftsmanship in the context of contemporary relevance.The Kota tribe history, women in pottery, traditional craftsmanship and the cultural importance of their craft.In the next module, we will learn about the styles, techniques and materials used as well as get to know the distinctive features associated with Kota pottery.

Styles, Techniques, and Materials in Kota Pottery

Known for its non-porous black clay finish, strength and fine designs, Kota pottery is an important art form of the Kota tribe from the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu Kota pottery is a pure handmade object which gives an honesty towards traditional art unlike mass ceramic production. It all starts with the clay, and as with other traditions there are types of clay that are set aside for pottery making and usually come from certain regions around a tribes enclosures. Excellent women artisans process the clay with basic hand tools paddles and a rounded stone, to cleanse, knead, and sculpt the clay.The distinctive black color of Kota ceramics comes from their smoke-fire technique. The pots are day-dried and then open fired in a kiln that is covered with plants such as leaves, husk, etc. causing a reduction by smoke. This process gives strength and beauty to the pottery. Geometric patterns, natural motifs, and symbolic markings are all common in these designs. From (Vasquez, 2009), the pottery is used by the native American as for cooking, storing, and ceremonial purposes. Kota pottery is still an eco-friendly, sustainable craft and one that deserves a larger focus on conservation, even with modernisation

Unique Characteristics of Kota Pottery

Kota pottery is a unique craft an occupation of the Kota tribe women of Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu. This pottery is known for its strong build, deep black color and detailed designs and has social, artistic, and practical importance. Kota pottery is considered an artistic expression which therefore, represents the Kota tribe heritage through its use of natural materials and traditional firing techniques.The durability and aesthetic appeal of black clay potteryPerhaps the most distinguishing characteristic of Kota pottery is its color, which is black and is achieved through a smoke-firing technique. That ancient firing technique also gives the pottery its polished, jet-black sheen, which differentiates the pottery from the other regional pottery styles.

• Tough and Durability – As the Kota pottery has a high durability, you can use it in your day-to-day life. When firing, the clay becomes hardened and therefore not brittle.
• Thermal Properties — The black clay pots are great at retaining heat, which is why they are traditionally used for cooking and storing food. The made pots are still used for slow cooking in hundreds of local households, due to the flavor it contributes in cooking.
• Non-glossy Finish and Soft-touch Surface – In contrast with glazed pottery, Kota pottery has an inherent coating. The polished and fired techniques yield a glossy surface but the pottery is still completely raw and organic in appearance.

Distinct Designs and Motifs

Tribal traditions, ambience and their beliefs are reflected in the decorative designs of Kota pottery. Featuring minimalistic yet meaningful designs that highlight nature, spirituality, and everyday life.

• Unique Patterns – Kota pottery is absolute handmade thus making every piece unique, thus making every piece are just not the same as others.Batch made craft is totally a different craft thus making it attractive. Somewhere, someone is hand-moulding the clay and that means less symmetry and more organic shapes, because this is not mounds of grey-perfectness.
• Nature-Inspired Patterns—Kota pottery is engraved with patterns representing mountains, rivers, trees, and animals important to the tribal way of life. These motifs are a testament to their close relationship with nature.
• Religious and Ceremonial – Certain pots are made for sacred and ritualistic use. This can be related to numerous symbols including gods, fertility and protection. In some traditions, the black is considered to have a spiritual power and protective power itself.
• Utility and decorative forms – Different types of pots include functional, textural elements (water storage, cooking pots, grain) and ornamental or ceremonial pots. Kota pottery is known for the right mix of utility and aesthetics.

As a beautiful example of a local craft, Kota pottery is distinguished by its permanent use, local significance, and ability to serve as an artistic medium. Distinguished by its black clay, ornamental designs, and traditional methods of production that have endured over centuries, this pottery is an inseparable part of the craft heritage of India. Even with the complexities of the present world of artisanry, Kota pottery still stands as a symbol of the creativity, strength, and craft of the Kota women who have maintained this craft for generations.

Tools and Techniques

Kota pottery, a tradition passed down from many generations of Kota women. It involves a lot of manual labour and is done by hand with primitive tools for moulding and traditional finishing using Dalit workers. What sets this craft apart from other pottery is the lack of a potter's wheel – the artisans mould and smooth each piece using only their hands, wooden paddles and stones.

Techniques employed by kota women hand-moulding

In contrast to many pottery traditions, Kota pottery is made using hand-moulding, rather than with the potter's wheel. The process creates a natural, imperfect shape in the pots, since each piece is handmade.

• Coiling Method – The coilers start rolling thinned rods of pot clay, arranging them in a spiral pattern to build the base of the vessel. These coils are then smoothed out and hand-linked, guaranteeing a seamless finish.
• Pinching and Shaping – Now using a pinching method, the artisans will gently press the clay to form the pot, creating the proper thickness and shape. This takes a fair bit of skill as all the 연 can be made to roughly the same size and shape.
•   Formation of the base– The shape of the pot depends on balancing, and stability. Women of Kota use their fingers skilfully along with stone and wooden paddles to compress and shape the edges to make a proper fit.

Use of Paddles and Stones for Smooth Finishing

Kota pottery derives its characteristically smooth, glossy look from hand tools such as wooden paddles and stones. These are some easy-to-use tools that are essential to finalizing the product.

1. Pottery is made with Tyrgann tool. The pottery wheel on which the pottery work is done.
2. . Stones are used in the rubbing of pot for the shininess of pot. It is called There are 4 major type of stones used

i. Big stone this is referred to as ‘Arrat Kal mu thachudu kal’

ii. Medium Ohm ( circular form) referred to as ‘Kusku Kalmu Thachudu kal’

iii. The expression for Small Little Stone is 'Arrat nice gisuthu kal'

iv. Kerpodu is a stone of Spoon type

3. The pot is also shaped with Poibbu.
4. Kerpodu is used to take the extra mud from the pot
5. Eril like log to mix the two mud in order to have the time to clay, made it uniform.
6. Once the pot is prepared, the leaf of ‘Amandu Hel’ is used to transfer the pot in wet condition from the machine to the ground.
7. But as for the decoration, it is the following tool that has been used in Sri Lanka to design and decorate the potter, that is ‘Harat Pasindhu Gissudhu Khol’.

The various tools have evocative names and specific purposes, painting an accurate picture of the skilful, tactile, labor-intensive process of making pottery. Connecting the potter, the medium, and the art.

Types of Kota Pots and Their Uses

One of the most well known crafts of the Kota tribe is its black clay pottery, which is the sole work of Kota women. These pots are made by hand by molding clay to form, smoke-firing then drying in the hot climate – this makes them extremely resilient, and a fundamental part of daily life as well as religious practices. Functional and conscious serving pots; they represent the tribe culture with their craftsmanship.

Cooking Vessels

Kota pottery is an important part of traditional cooking. They have a great ability to retain heat, accentuating the taste and smoothness of your food. Women of Kota make cooking vessels as per the requirement.

Common Cooking Pots:

• Rice Cooking Pots → Big, deep, pot-like things designed for cooking rice with an open flame The thick clay walls ensures food cooks at a slower even pace preventing burning.
• Dal and Curry Pots – These are medium size pots primarily used for lentils, curries and stews. These containers hold heat for a long time and are suitable for serving food hot.
• Water Storage Pots – Clay pans are called eco-friendly substitutes for modern refrigerators, as naturally cool drinking water is obtained from them, due to porosity of clay.
• Milk and buttermilk pots – These uniquely shaped vessels help to boil and keep milk products safe in our warm climate.
• Cup and saucer and Eating plates– This mud cup is kept to drink water and tea and Eating plates are for routine use and also the other for the ritual ceremonies.

Not only does this special black smoke-fired finish give these pots their distinctive and eye-catching looks, but they also serve to increase heat resistance and another enhancement in durability, making them ideal for traditional wood-fired cooking.

Ritualistic and Ceremonial Pots

Kota pots are more than just usable pots, they have deep spiritual and ritualistic significance. The pots are part of the tribe religious activities, which includes giving offerings and worshipping ancestors.

Sacred and Ritual Pots:

• Ceremonial Cooking Pots – These are larger vessels used exclusively for preparing sacred meals during festivals and rituals. They are considered auspicious and passed down through generations.
• Death Ritual Pots – Distinctive clay vessels associated with conducting funeral rights signifying the crossing over of the soul. They typically get shattered or concealed during the mourning process as part of tradition.
• Festival and Marriage pots — These are embellished pots used in weddings and when we do any special community events to denote wealth and blessings.

Those clay pots are usually decorated with a particular symbol that identifies its spiritual nature. A lot of these are thought to be particularly protective powers and are used in homes to invite prosperity.Although it is a rich clay craft area for common things, Kota pottery is also profoundly linked to sacred traditions. Although utensils appear to cater to household needs, some pots are ritualistic, which signifies the traditional spiritual beliefs of the Kota tribe. The handmade creation of these folk tradition vessels still stands for an identity, a sustainability way of work, and a generated wisdom by our ancestors that must be preserved and promoted.

Firing and Finishing Process

Kota pottery gets its unique color, hardness, and texture because of the way it is fired and finished. But unlike the kiln-fired ceramics of today, Kota pottery follows a generation-old open-fire tradition. It is said that this method increases the strength, durability and beauty of the pottery, all while keeping the cultural integrity of the work.

1.Open-Fired Kiln Approach as Old Style

The Kota potters harden their clay creations using a primitive but time-tested open-fire method. It is completely environmentally-friendly process and the required heat for this process is generated through the natural fuels such as wood, dried leaves, and cow dung cakes.

Stages in Firing in Open-Fire Kiln:

• Making: When the pots have been shaped by hand and dried, people are arranged them in a pit or in an open place, covering them with dry straw, firewood and cow dung cakes.
•   Stacking: Pots are stacked one upon another; larger vessels on the base, delicate pieces on top. This guarantees all-round heating while firing.
• Firing: The fuel materials are ignited, and the fire is progressively strengthened for a slow and moderate firing process.
• Supervision: Wood is added over a period of several hours to maintain the temperature at the point that is needed for the clay to properly harden.
• Cooling Method: After the firing, the pots are allowed to cool naturally in the embers, since sudden temperature changes can cause them to crack or break.

2. Smoke-Firing for Black Finish

This unique black shade of Kota pottery is obtained using a special smoke firing method—a signature characteristic of Kota craftsmanship. This special method gives the pots their characteristic dark color, and thus improves the visual appearance but also the durability.

Process of Smoke-Firing:

• Once the first firing is done, the pots are placed back into a smoke chamber or pit, and then covered with burning organic materials, such as sawdust, dried leaves, and rice husks,
• The controlled reduction of oxygen during the firing process entrains carbon particles at the surface of the pottery resulting in a rich black sheen.
• This helps to diminish the number of pores in the pots and increases their strength thus reducing the porosity of the pots.
• Sometimes the surface of the clay, after firing, is polished with a stone to give a slight sheen to the finished piece.

3. Importance of the Firing and Finishing Process

• Increased durability: The common open-fire and smoke-firing which harden the clay keep the pots of Kota from breakage and also heat damage.
• Nature-Friendly Process: This traditional-firing technique incorporates the use of natural fuels and is done without the assistance of contemporary kilns or manmade potters chemicals.
• Cultural and Aesthetic Significance — Smoke-firing creates a rich, characteristic black color that is a hallmark of traditional Kota pottery and differentiates it from other forms of traditional Indian pottery.
• Utility and Aesthetics: This method sustains both function and aesthetic aspect of the products so that every piece remain functional and pleasingly elegant.

Kota potting is a sacred, yet environmentally sustainable craft process of firing and finishing. Kiln techniques open and smoke-firing not only make the pots more durable and visually appealing but also preserve ancient craftsmanship. But now with modern-day threats to Kota pottery, it is important to save such age-old firing techniques in order to preserve this unique heritage.

Attire and Identity of Kota Potters

Kota potters normally wear their traditional dress which signifies their identity as a whole. The outfits ideal for pottery-making are not merely functional but also carry symbolic significance. Apart from being status markers, Kota women wear various hairstyles and accessories to distinguish themselves from other tribes and the rest of the ethnic population in the Nilgiris.

1. Traditional Attire of Kota Women During Pottery-Making

Pottery Making Dress Code for Kota Women They're able to clad in accustomed attire for comfort, ease of motion, and cultural modesty whereas artifact with clay.

Key Elements of Their Attire:

Mundu (Upper Garment)- The Mundu (dhotis) is worn by women, which is a white unembellished piece of cloth with the shoulders and breast covered with the garment.

• It is comfortable and allows them to move freely which is required in the very physical process of making pottery.
• The Mundu is usually of cotton preferably suited to the humid hilly climate of the Nilgiris.

Dupatti Lower Garment - Dupatti is the simple unstitched white or off white cloth used to drape Lower parts of your body.

•   It represents humility and obedience to local customs.

Do not wear colored clothes:

•  Due to the use of natural dye from pierced clay and the smoke-firing process, Kota women do not wear brightly colored fabrics while working.
• Preference for neutral shades, consistent with the minimalist aesthetic and spirituality of the culture.

Kota potters wear this dress when working with clay because they believe that one must be in a pure state while handling clay which holds ritualistic importance.

Hairstyles as Signs of Cultural Identity

Traditional hairstyles such as worn by Kota women serve as markers of ethnic identity, age, and social status. Not only do hairstyles also represent beauty norms, but they also serve a symbolic function in community traditions.

The 'Mandoo' Leaf Ritual:

• Young Kota woman around 18-19 years of age preparing a life cycle event after she is normal with her hair being tied using a 'Mandoo' leaf.
• This ritual is done almost as a tool, marking her maturity, and showing that she is able to bear her responsibilities towards the community.
• A woman will not remove a 'Mandoo' leaf from her hair after this tradition starts, and it shows how long-lasting her commitment is to Kota traditions.

Symbolism of the Hairstyle:

A woman can tell her age and marital status in her community based on the hairdo.Only Kota women use the Mandoo leaf, which immediately gives away their tribal identity."Its symbolic nature and significance as a protective charm are indicative of the continuity of cultural tradition and respect for the work of our ancestors.Kota potters use their dresses and descriptions in such a way that it is also a medium of their cultural heritage. While Mundu & Dupatti offers functionality and decency, Mandoo leaf hairstyle serves the rest of life as an identity to the community. Although the 21st century has its impact on various aspects, conservation of these conventional features is a crucial factor for the sustainability of Kota legacy, along with keeping alive the blood line of the tribe and their relation with the art.The first session was about the Kota ware, including the nature, implements and techniques of making Kota pottery as well as their conventional method of firing.This is the first part of the module in which we'll talk about the significance of Kota pottery today, the issues related to preservation.

Efforts for Revival and Promotion and conclusion

Efforts for Revival and Promotion

The readiness of NGOs, government initiatives and market-driven strategies plays a vital role in the revival and promotion of Kota Pottery and Kachchhi Pottery to save it from extinction. Focusing on artisan support and sustainable production, and increasing its market, these initiatives help to preserve this age-old craft, making it meaningful to contemporary consumer.

1. Role of NGOs and Government Initiatives

•   Government Support Programs:

1. Kota artisans receive financial assistance, skill development programs, and raw material support from the Ministry of Textiles and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
2. They also promote handicrafts through their schemes such as "One District One Product (ODOP)" and TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India), assisting Kota potters to sell at fairs and online platforms.
3.   Adi Dravida Tribal Welfare and Tamil Nadu Tribal Research Institute, Chennai Provided many workshops and Pottery Machine to Kota artisans in seven villages.

• NGO and Community-Led Efforts:

1. This is where a lot of NGOs are trying to train artisans with modern techniques, sustainable practices, and digital marketing.
2.   Organizing workshop and exhibitions to create interest and awareness regarding Kota pottery amongst the general public.

• Educational and Research-Based Initiatives

1. Artisans were working with design schools and craft research centers to develop new designs for Kota pottery for contemporary contexts.
2. Documenting traditional knowledge to pass on the practice to future generations.
3. Market Potential and Tourism-Based Awareness

• Tourism and Cultural Promotion:

1. The world heritage Nilgiris attracts many thousands of tourists every year which paves the way for establishing Kota pottery workshops and cultural experiences.
2.   Craft villages and tribal museums supported by the government can encourage visitors to learn about the history of Kota pottery and its making, thus facilitating sales and awareness about the pottery.

•   Branding and Certification:

Awarding Kota pottery the GI tag status, thereby safeguarding its authenticity and propagation of its unique identity in the handicrafts segment.With the resurgence of government incentives, NGO efforts and market-led initiatives, Kota pottery can be revived and sustained for the coming generations. Tourism-dependent awareness and digital outreach are what ultimately will lead to this from becoming known on  global scale and this art form to generate some sort of economic stability.

Conclusion 

Kota pottery is not only a craft but also a representation of heritage, ancient wisdom, and cultural memory inherited from ancestors. Kerba Mudka today finds recognition as an identity, a ritual and a socio-economic practice of Kota women, one of the few remaining artisan traditions carried out exclusively by them.But in the face of industrial production, environmental concerns and the dwindling number of artisans, this niche craft is in danger of disappearing. It is crucial to maintain Kota crockery, due to the fact the cultural inheritance of the town of the Kota tribe belongs to them and to encourage making, domestically created, and eco-friendly practices in a rapidly changing global economy that shifts continuously toward handcrafted, old-fashioned purchases.Kota pottery can be brought back into relevance in contemporary India, and yet retain its essential character through government schemes, NGO efforts, market access and making the locals aware of the tourism potential of Kota pottery in the post COVID-19 period. Modernisation of the Kota pottery to fit into current markets as well as design spaces allows for economic generation for artisans, so this important craft will continue — and come alive.Supporting Kota pottery means supporting our rich tribal heritage of India and encouraging more sustainable and handmade replacements for ever-growing consumerism.Information on the continuing relevance of Kota pottery in modern times, existential threats to its existence, and attempts to revive and conserve the craft adorned the walls.The upcoming module is filled with interactive activities and quizzes to help us learn about Kota pottery.