The terracotta tiles captivate with their ingenuity and rustic charm — a farmer with his plough; little girls swinging on the jhoola; Radha-Krishna under a profusely flowering tree; Durga, Lakshmi and the sun god... Once a part of walls in rural hamlets, mud folk art today finds a place in urban interiors and gardens.
Revival of sorts
With cooking vessels and others in mud, fast vanishing from rural India, traditional potters now fashion these simple yet stunning tile sculptures made entirely by hand and baked in fire kilns. Bird baths, terracotta lanterns, bells and magic lamps are some of the mud-based creations that form a part of the collection on view at ‘Expo 2012'. Other crafts on display include Mirzapur silk and woollen carpets, attractive jewellery with Minakari work on brass, Odisha's palm-leaf craft, and textiles and decorative bric-a-brac from other regions.
In another exhibition, wood takes centre stage. At the Central Cottage Industries' ‘Object d art', Jodhpur's artisans have crafted an array of exclusive sideboards, tables, chowkis and almirahs with intricate carving and embossed brass work. The prime attractions are boxes and chests of various sizes with embossed painting in soft colours. The motifs are captivating as flowers and in traditional geometrics. Equally attractive are ‘Nagara' tables crafted to look like old drums. Superbly-made micro-mini sandal wood sculptures, Madhubani art and mellow Pichwais add lustre to the display.
‘Expo 2012' is on at Sri Sankara Hall, TTK Road, Teynampet till February 2. The ‘Objects d Art' is on at Temple Towers, 672, Anna Salai, Nandanam till January 30.
