Ghurni Clay Art Analysis

He is one of the senior most artists of Ghurni. His age is 80 years. He has his own shop and workshop in Ghurni, and he is associated with this clay art since his childhood. He is expertise in all the techniques of making sculptures. He is one among the famous artists of Ghurni clay art industry. He is an asset of Ghurni clay art industry.

• What do you think the most important thing in this clay art of Ghurni?
Ghurni art is not an art now, it has become a craft. If I make a clay model without dice and mould then I would cost it around 500 rupees. But now, mostly artisans of this Ghurni clay industry have produced clay dolls in mass production with moulds and dice. I also do this and cost them 300 rupees per piece.
• What is dice?
A model of clay is prepared firstly and then dice is made by pouring plaster of paris and with cement on it
there is another process for making Durga’s models. Months before Durga Puja, artisans have started infusing lives to the images of Durga. Bamboo is used in different shapes and sizes for making armature of the idols and the platform on which this massive sculpture of Durga is placed. Then model with the help of straw is made which is tied with the help of jute string. The armature is prepared by a group of artisans and the clay application on the structure is done by the other group of people. And after that hand, head and feet are joined to the body by an expert in it. Layers of clay are applied on the body. Application of layer is done in three steps. In the first step, a coat of thin clay with more water ratio is applied so as to fill the curves of the armature. The second layer of clay is applied with caution as it will highlight the model. Then head, hands and feet are joined to the sculpture. The joining of limbs and head is done by extremely skilled artisans or Kumbhakars. These artists make the head of Durga idol with great skill and care. Then they take a mould of it to make numerable models of the head of