Terracotta

About:

Terracotta refers to a type of earthenware that is made from natural clay. It is one of the oldest forms of art and craftsmanship, dating back to ancient civilizations. The word "Terracotta" is derived from the Italian words "terra" (earth) and "cotta" (baked), meaning baked earth. Terracotta items are widely used for sculptures, pottery, architectural elements, and even household items. Known for its reddish-brown color, terracotta is famous for both its durability and aesthetic appeal.

The terracotta craftsmen went from tribe to tribe making their ceremonial and religious figures, ornaments and kitchenware.

Location:

History:

The use of terracotta dates back to ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, Egypt, and Greece. In India, the earliest use of terracotta can be traced to the Harappan civilization (circa 2500 BCE). Terracotta was widely used to create sculptures, figurines, pottery, and architectural elements. The famous Terracotta Army in China, built during the reign of the first Emperor Qin Shi Huang, is one of the world’s most well-known examples of terracotta craftsmanship. In India, terracotta art has been deeply tied to religious and cultural traditions, especially in rural areas where clay is abundantly available. Temples like the Terracotta Temples of Bishnupur, West Bengal, highlight the importance of this material in architecture. Over time, terracotta has become a popular material for creating household items, decorative pieces, and even modern art installations.

Features:

The material is known for its characteristic reddish-brown or earthy color, which comes from the iron content in the clay. Depending on the firing process, the shade can vary from light orange to deep brown.

Tie & Dye

The art of tying and dyeing fabric is known as Bandhani or Bandhej in Madhya Pradesh. This delicate technique represents the earliest forms of resist patterning. In this process, parts of the fabric are tied with thread or twined into minute knots and then dipped in dye. Mandsaur produces excellent bandhanis. In Indore and Ujjain also, craftspersons produce exquisite samples of tie and dye.

Tribal Music

The tribal music is undoubtedly very rich in content.

Countryside Music

It includes legendry narratives, ceremonial songs, work songs and the songs linked with rituals, love longings and occupations. Its music survives in cross-cultural traits of social relationships. Its structural shades vary from caste to caste and from region to region.

Bhakti Music

The third group of songs has a close affinity with the Bhakti cult of the medieval period. The vast concourse of these songs draws themes from mythology and ranges from the traditional Harikatha to the simple rendering of old Bhajans, art songs, lyrics of poets Chandra Sakhi and Sukhai and the devotional songs attributed to Ramdev, etc. Thousands of songs and Vaishnav padas are sung into varied complexion under religious and devotional fervour. Some of the complexions even admit embellishment and to a small degree tanas and alap in their stylized crudeness.

Musical Instruments

The drums are of various types and the technique of drumming among the tribals is fascinating. In Bastar there are big drums played by sticks. The Bhils use heavy Dhols and Mandals. There are small -sized drums. The Durbari of the Bhils, that is the Dumri of the Gonds is identical to the Goga Dhol of Dandakaranya. The Mandri is a mini Mandal. Like the narrow-waist Dhak of the Bhils, there is the Parang drum of the Murias. The Ghera is an octagonal rim stretched with goat hide played by one padded stick. The Dphala, the Chang, the Damahu, the Timki and the Tasa are different types of membranophonic instruments. The drumming is an invitation or a call for dancing.