Kolam Series: 2019 The process

Every time I shared a visual from the 

Kolam Series: Handcrafted Mindfully, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. So I thought of sharing the whole creative, technical as well as the mindful process that went into the making of this series.

I learn and I create pots in our local community art center. A space I consider my second home given the amount of time I spend there! 

I love working on ‘a collection’ where I am able to explore various forms under a certain design aesthetics. 

Kolam as a design concept has captivated me for years, a pattern drawn at the entrances of homes to bring in prosperity and happiness and while being mindful in the process. 

I had envisaged a collection of 30 pots, with various forms like urlis, bowls, cups, vase and kulhad The whole process took me months to create. 

First throwing the forms I wanted, then trimming the pots and waiting for the right dryness ( leather hard) in pottery language. Applying coats of black slip and then slowly and mindfully carving the Kolam pattern on the slip. 

Then comes the first firing called bisque and then glazing it with a translucent white glaze and then the final firing. 

At no point in the whole process is success guaranteed! So I was extremely grateful when 25 pots out of 30 came out well. 

The first batch of 20 pots was listed in a October 2019 and sold out. The remaining 5 pots did not make it on time for the sale. 

My endeavor as a potter has always been to create work that brings beauty and a sense of joy to the person using it❤️