Passion for Fire

After 25 years as a ceramicist, time still stands still every time Kavita Pandya Ganguly & Titas Ganguly open the door of a kiln to see the results of their work.

Tell us about Ochre Ceramics and Pottery.

K&T: I have a Diploma in Ceramic Design from NID, and I conceived Ochre in the year 2000 along with Titas Ganguly, a self taught and trained potter. We are based in Anand (Gujarat). The initial idea at Ochre (which means color shades of iron present in clay), was to come up with a functional range, which would be completely hand-made. The aim was also to eventually create sustainable income generation for the local rural youth. The idea of playing with clay and making a living with it was very challenging and exciting.

Our extreme passion for the material, and inspiration from a rich tradition of clay figurines/toys from every corner of India helped Ochre to shape the initial crafts collection.

In the beginning we did all kinds of explorations, from utilitarian products to decor to animal figurines. In 2004, we realized our strength and passion for animal figurines. At this stage, we started to involve and train local village youth; we encouraged them to create forms as they perceived them from their surroundings, be it the restlessness of the monkeys or the stillness of the thoughtful donkeys. These exercises helped to create a range of interesting products and most importantly, a means of livelihood.

We believe that the craftsperson should enjoy the process of creating a piece of craft, which in turn gives life into the character and creates a bond with the ultimate buyer. The joy of making the product becomes more important than the number of pieces made at the end of the day. Celebrating the making process is the core idea and it is very soul satisfying. We organized various talks and documentaries to motivate them, and provided regular counseling on personal issues to boost their confidence.

What kind of products do you make?