Located around 23 kms from Bishnupur in the Bankura district, Panchmura village is the hub of terracotta artisans where around 270 crafts persons are continuing the tradition. Panchmura offers a wide range of terracotta products from animal to human figurines as well as utility, home decor and jewelry.
The famous terracotta Bankura horse, which is adorned worldwide as a symbol of Indian folk-art, is
produced here. The structure of the "Bankura Horse" symbolizes devotion, courage, history and the legacy of Mallabhum and the undefeated world of Malla kings. Bankura horse is registered under the Geographical Indication of West Bengal, named Bankura Panchmura Terracotta Craft on 28 March 2018.
It is a family based tradition. All the crafts persons are Hindu by religion and belong to "Kumbhakar" caste. Making terracotta craft is the primary livelihood for most of the artists.
This craft started with the rise in the popularity of the local serpent deity Manasa. Clay horses were offered to the village deities once wishes were fulfilled. Even today the rural communities continue with the practice of offering the terracotta figures as token of their devotion. The Malla kings made the Terracotta art of Bishnupur popular by building terracotta temples all over the place. The temples served a dual purpose for them by being a place of worship on one hand and that of shelter for warriors on the other. The ubiquitous terracotta structures with their apparent subtle and artistic facade were rock solid inside.
Different parts of the hollow terracotta horses are turned out in separate parts, on the potter's wheel. The four legs, the full neck in two parts and the face (seven pieces in all) are turned out separately on the wheel and then joined together. Additional clay is used for making up defects that may remain in the shape of the body. The leaf-like ears and the tails are done in molds and are later inserted in grooves left on the body. The clay figures are then allowed to dry in the sun. After a little drying in the sun, holes are made on appropriate parts of the body in order that the inner and the outer surfaces of the body are equally dried. Cracks may develop in the body because of unequal drying of the inner and the outer portions. The dehydration is slowly done in the normal temperature of a closed room for about six or seven days. Then they are brought out of the room and heated in the sun. Finally they are burnt.
The terracotta horses of Bankura are turned out in two different colors. The normal terracotta red color is obtained by letting out the smoke through the vents of the kiln after firing, and the black color is obtained by sealing the vents and not letting out the smoke.
Government of West Bengal's Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Textiles, in association with UNESCO, has developed Rural Craft Hub in Panchmura.
It is a family based tradition. All the crafts persons are Hindu by religion and belong to "Kumbhakar" caste. Making terracotta craft is the primary livelihood for most of the artists.
This craft started with the rise in the popularity of the local serpent deity Manasa. Clay horses were offered to the village deities once wishes were fulfilled. Even today the rural communities continue with the practice of offering the terracotta figures as token of their devotion. The Malla kings made the Terracotta art of Bishnupur popular by building terracotta temples all over the place. The temples served a dual purpose for them by being a place of worship on one hand and that of shelter for warriors on the other. The ubiquitous terracotta structures with their apparent subtle and artistic facade were rock solid inside.
The terracotta horses of Bankura are turned out in two different colors. The normal terracotta red color is obtained by letting out the smoke through the vents of the kiln after firing, and the black color is obtained by sealing the vents and not letting out the smoke.
Government of West Bengal's Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Textiles, in association with UNESCO, has developed Rural Craft Hub in Panchmura.
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