Tribute to Bapu: A giant mural of 30,000 kulhads

VARANASI: Come January 30, 2019, and you may see a 150 square metre giant mural of Mahatma Gandhi, made up of special 30,000 ‘ kulhads’ (earthen handle-less clay cups) made using clay from across the country, at a prime location in New Delhi as a tribute to the ‘Father of the Nation’ on his 71st death anniversary.
As part of Mahatma’s ongoing 150th birth anniversary celebrations, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is making the mural in its unique tribute for which it is assembling 150 potters from across the country with clay of their region at Morbi in Gujarat in the first week of January.If every step, including manufacturing, glazing, finishing and setting of the kulhads are completed as per the plan, then the proposed mural will be unveiled on Gandhi’s death anniversary on January 30, which is observed as Shahid Diwas.
Talking to TOI in Varanasi on Saturday, KVIC chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said, “At a time when the nation is celebrating Gandhi ji’s 150th birth anniversary, we decided to mark the occasion with his vision of empowering village craftmen and also symbolising the cultural integrity and unity of the nation. With the cooperation of 150 highly-skilled potters from all over the country, we will make 150 sq mt (15 mt x 10 mt) wall mural, using kulhads.”
Three probable sites, including one wall at Connaught Place in New Delhi, have been identified so far for the mural, he said adding that selection will be done in a week or two.
Saxena said, “We have identified 150 potters from all parts of the country. They will come to Morbi and will bring clay of their region. The clay brought by them will be mixed to produce the kulhads for the mural. The potters will produce kulhads in stipulated size, shape and finish them as per tradition and design requirements.”
“Ahmedabad-based design studio, Clay Club Innovations, which specialises in terracotta and ceramic arts, will design the artwork. The 30,000 kulhads produced by the potters will be made all-weather proof by baking at high temperature and glazing them at Morbi. They will be transported to New Delhi to prepare the mural possiblt by mid-January. Small terracotta parts will be utilized to form the entire image,” he added.
Saxena was in the city to inaugurate a workshop-cum-training programme ‘Technology for Modern Pottery’ at Bhishampur village of Sewapuri block.
Regarding KVIC’s efforts for enhancing production and income of potters by introducing modern techniques, he said, “So far, 4,700 electric potter wheels have been distributed across the country. By March 31, 2019 we will distribute 7,000 electric potter wheels.”