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radhika's avatar
05:40 AM
15 August 2009
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Tangled up in Blue.

Posted By radhika

Keen to see an artist who is so much a part of Jaipur history was our story for today.We knocked on his door only to find that he had passed away last year. His daughter, Meenakshi, still continues the tradition of pottery that her father had revived…


Blue Pottery, started in China somewhere in the 15th century, and was brought into India by the later Moguls at RamSinghs time, where it had trickled in from China into Persia.The art initially used for architecture went to flourish as a form of pottery from Kashmir into Rajasthan and then became confined to being a speciality of two local artists named Bholaram and Chudamani. The art started fading post independence.

Commissioned by the late Rajmata Gayatri Devi to revive the art, Kripal Singh set up the Shilp Kala Mandir and then devoted the rest of his life reviving and reinterpreting the art of blue pottery.

The glaze of blue pottery is made from fuller’s earth and is a combination of Chinese and Persian styles. The design is essentially geometric and floral with a combination of the blue-green palette used, though touches of ochre are sometimes brought in.The palette derived from the oxides of cobalt, cadmium and chromium are used for the glaze and fired in a wood kiln. Being a very fragile and delicate form of pottery the artist needs to work very carefully because it cannot be retouched.

Trivia: The moguls used blue pottery to test food for poison. If the glaze changed colour it meant the possibility of the food being poisoned!

We have so much of art in this country that is slowly fading away…this travel with GDC has made me realise over and over that there is much to see and to understand about people like Kripal Singh who dedicate their lives reviving secrets of the lost arts.

Posted by

Gaurav Deshmukh

15 August 2009

Hey,

Another brilliant post. Guess it is in our hands now to create an awareness about all that this country has to offer. Glad that you have taken the initiative and I thank all behind TGDC to have provided the platform. Kind of, lit the torch! Its up to us now to ensure that the flames don’t die down!

Tangled Up in Blue smile

Posted by

Arvind Passey

15 August 2009

Yes, blue pottery is indeed fascinating. I remember we had bought a lovely Ganesha created in this pottery form, from Jaipur.

Around two hours from Delhi is a place called Khurja… and this small town is known for pottery… lots of ‘pottery factories’ or bhattis can be seen throughout/

Posted by

Praveen

15 August 2009

Hey guyz… nice to see depths of what travel is all about. Its not about displaying a “been there done that”... but looking beyond the expected!

Posted by

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

15 August 2009

Radhika&Bharath;,
I like your style…......No skimping…....no skimming over…...not shallow…..not trying to merely impress
Sincere….Authentic…..Sensitive…..Attention to detail….Definitely way beyond the mundane

Depth in the blogs….Gorgeous photos…..Each piece a “Cameo ” presentation…......It pulls at the heartstrings!
For those who are already interested, you are showing new ways;  For others you are inspiring… to drive, travel and see India of the myriad hues( hope it will never die, globalization or not ) & enjoy ..and celebrate!

PHEW E E E !!! Aren’t you just learning and having great fun!!!!!    Thanx a million for a great experience!
WELL DONE!  VERY WELL DONE!!  SUPERB!!!

Posted by

Imtiaz

15 August 2009

..and we spend our summers in Amsterdam and winters in Sicily…. without knowing what’s in our own backyards… I almost always say this to whenever someone ask me why I haven’t travelled abroad yet…. yaar apna desh to dekh le pehle!

Good going guys you’re giving some chosen ones a lot to sweat about, they are revisiting previous halts to come up with comparable posts….. and failing miserably….

Posted by

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

15 August 2009

good text and pics.  Makes me feel I am traveling along with you and enjoying a relaxed holiday.

Posted by

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

16 August 2009

Great job you two have done and there it is you are sure winners.Just waiting for the count down.Ypoursone foot in the grave

Posted by

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

16 August 2009

WOWWHAAA!!!!
eK cOfffee Mug mere liye bhee le aana !! smile
will beat some nice coffee for ya !!:)
lOvely blog smile needless to say ...you are going best !!
peace
Gaurav

Posted by

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

17 August 2009

Woooaaaaaaaa!!! (Cantonese expression of awe)


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