Arts and Crafts of Bangladesh

 

Arts and Crafts: Potteries of Bangladesh

Pottery is closely related to Bangali culture. Bangladeshi potters are famous for their fine art works and unique motifs. Nowadays, a lot of people prefer earthenware to decorate their interior in order to create a subtle ambiance.

The main element of any pottery is clay; sometime a number of other substances are added to it to ensure its durability.  Potters vigorously knead chunks of mud and set it on a huge wheel and rotate it until the clay mixture transforms into pots, bangles, vases, showpieces and what not. Later it’s burnt or embellished and polished with paints, sequins, glass works etc.

A number of road side earthenware markets in Dhaka city is dominating for decades, however recently a number of superstores, lifestyle stores and even online shops are selling and designing potteries successfully. Here, we are presenting two relatively new stores who work with potteries along with the road side bargains. Jhijhi Poka is an online shop while Joyeeta is a lifestyle solution store that has a fair collection of pottery.

Road side shops

 

Only recently potteries, clay jeweleries, earthenware are available in flashy stores; however there was a time when only the roadsides next to Charukala Institute, Shishu Academy and a few other places sold these products. Even with the arrival of various trendy collections of potteries, somehow the good old fashioned ones still hold their charm. Plus a larger collection of oversized vases, flower tubs are also seen along the roadsides.

Road side shops occupy the huge pavements from high court to Shishu Academy where a number of stalls sell huge to tiny décor pieces, jewellery, flower tubs, vases etc. The clay plates and bowls available in here may prove handy during the Pahela Baishakh and other occasions. Also the chimes, bells, pots of various size and shape, glittery huge vases shining in the roadside often tempt the customers more. The stalls along the road of Charukala Institute are still very popular for their innovative jewellery.

Their collections vary a lot as they have some unique products mixed in along with the rather ordinary ones. However, if you take a closer look you may find the more sophisticated, subtle products at a good bargain. Their products may prove to be a value for your money provided you know how to bargain for them. The price range of these products varies depending on your bargaining skill and the product you are opting for.

Jhijhi Poka

 A young couple Yaser Hossain and Fahmida Siddique, does its selling and marketing online through the popular social networking site facebook. Their collections of potteries are rather vibrant and exclusive. Fahmida designs and crafts the products herself.

Usage of cartoon characters, themes from our daily lives, bright colors depict the childish side of human nature. Amidst all the elegant and sophisticated decoration pieces showcased everywhere else their collection would be like a breath of fresh air to the younger customers. Young adults, teenagers can easily relate to their products and suit their mood!

Piggy banks, wall hangings, pots, decoration pieces, pen holders etc are available in here. As embellishment, glitters, stones leafy motifs etc are used. They also design products based on any upcoming occasion like Valentine’s Day, Pahela Baishakh, Mother’s day, etc. Messages are crafted in to the décor pieces to go with the celebration. Their products are priced within Tk 350 to Tk 1,200.

If you want to grab one of their cute dolls or a piggy banks then visit their page on facebook, choose the products and inbox them the link, they will send you back another message where the price and place of the product delivery would be mentioned.

 

Joyeeta

Joyeeta is a complete life style solution store yet it has dedicated a corner completely for their collection of potteries. The owner Purnota Yasmeen anxiously says, ‘Even though earthenware is closely related to our culture, it is becoming obsolete now.’ So to preserve one of our endangered arts and also to make it popular, she decided to include potteries into her shop.

Their collection of clay made products include jewellery, ashtrays, décor pieces, animals, Hindu Gods, toys and even kitchen sets for kids. Lamps, candle stands etc having a various shapes of leaves, birds, and banks in the form of animals adorn their shelves. Their jewellery collections include necklaces, bracelets, bangles, earrings etc. Shades of deep green, red, orange, purple and addition of beads, woods, sequins etc give them a playful look.

Some of their décor pieces have incarnation of the Hindu Gods like Ganesh, Shib and also Buddha along with the ones depicting the Muslim belief. A number of their pen stands, décor pieces like fishes, pen stands etc are polished with bright colors, however most of their collection retains the original earthen tone.

Their products are priced between Tk.10 to Tk.300. You can check out the 3rd and 4th floor of Rapa Plaza to find out more about their earthenware and jewellery.

Potters and pottery are an integral part of the Bangali culture and heritage; however this craftsmanship is becoming endangered. Buying and using these earthenware would encourage our potters to carry on with their decade long family business as well as portray our Bangali temperament even better.