THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:Wooing the homemakers in the city, traditional potters from the Kumbaran clan in Nilambur are this time back with an exhibition flaunting elegant murals and irresistible earthenware.
The reputation of Kumbaran clan of Aruvacode in Nilambur can be judged even from the ‘Malabar Manual’ compiled by William Logan, the then Collector of erstwhile British Malabar. Interestingly, 15 to 20 Kumbaran families in the community, from a total of 150, still depend on the art of pottery for sustenance even now.
The decline in the number of traditional potters has taken place owing to the sharp disbelief of people in their traditional occupation, which has failed to obtain lucrative business over the years. However, the potters in Aruvacode neighbourhood still believe in the sanctity of their traditional profession.
Sunil Babu, a potter from Aruvacode, has showcased terracotta products ranging from cookware and magazine holders to pot composts in the exhibition, which will conclude on Sunday at Mar Gregorios Youth Centre.
About the benefits of using of clay utensils, Sunil opined that it would offer a far more healthier lifestyle in the modern kitchen, where junk food is replacing homemade food.
Meanwhile, he also cautioned about the use of red oxide in the terracotta products available in the market.
“Potters tend to use red oxide instead of red sand to give colour to their clay products. Red oxide poses serious health hazards during daily use. However, the use of clay utensils in kitchen are recommended by medical practitioners and they prefer the use of terracotta utensils in kitchen to aluminium,” Sunil said.
The pottery exhibition started on Thursday, however, Sunil said that his stock has almost been sold out in just two days. He, nevertheless, promised that customers who wish to have their drawing room decorated with mural and other terracotta arts would not be disappointed. “If I receive orders on any specific design or model, I will deliver it within a few days to the customer,” he said.
However, the potter seemed to be highly worried about the future of his career in Nilambur, which comes under the ‘Ecologically Sensitive Zone’ as per the Kasthurirangan report. “We are worried about our profession. Even now we face difficulty in procurement of clay. Currently, it not an issue because we will not need more than two trucks of soil. Authorities are tightening curbs against the backdrop of the implementation of the Kasthurirangan Report,” he said.
The exhibition has also showcased paintings by Anish, who is a local artist at Aruvacode.
