Educational Questions & Answers

Employment Opportunities in Pottery Ceramics

Rural development is the foundation for the development of upcoming countries like India. The soul of India?s lives in villages as 72% population of our nation lives there. So, first of all, we have to be conscious about the development of our villages and their small and cottage industries. If the villages develop in all aspects the nation will grow automatically. We have to find our scope of development of a village in its available infrastructure and resources. We have to augment and upgrade their traditional resources, skills, talents and products. There are lots of employment opportunities available in the villages for the youth.

In the villages there are many traditional occupations and cottage industries on which villagers depend for their livelihood i.e. pottery, bamboo craft (basketry), leather work, carpentry, textile work etc. These days the field of pottery ceramics is becoming more popular and attractive. There is a lot of demand for these items and products in our cities.

The art of pottery ceramics has been used for need and utilization from the ancient period (and this is also the first goal of this field). This is a part of our daily life and no one can live without the use of pots. The potters always welcomed new techniques and equipment to keep pace with development. The initial form in this field was limited with terracotta, as the only material but now we can work easily in bone-China can porcelain. Blue pottery is still attractive and popular as it was in the olden days.

1. Terracotta Industry:

We can establish a terracotta unit in the first phase of the pottery ceramics. This is also called the red clay work. Baked or fired clay products only can be prepared in this phase. From this unit we can get more profit and income in return of less capital and labour. In this step we can make decorative tiles and murals for the building along with traditionally used pots and toys. Today the use of terracotta tiles, murals, kabelus, art pieces etc. have become a fashion in modern society. So, we must be always conscious about the demand of the market.

2. Red clay glazing industries:

The work of first phase can be developed as red clay glazing work in this step. This is also known as low-temperature pottery. In this phase we can use lead glaze on terracotta works and can develop our industry and market. The glazed decorative articles always attract the market.

3. China clay industry:

One can start China clay work in the third phase of pottery ceramic industry. In this unit we can work white clay-China clay, ball clay, fire clay etc. and can use high temperature glaze on the products of this materials. We have to invest more money to establish this unit for high temperature kilns and raw materials but after what we can earn more money and enter a bigger market in comparison to the capitals. White clay work is harder and more attractive then red clay work. With other things we can produce tableware (kitchen utensils), sanitary goods, tiles, models etc. in this phase easily.

4. Porcelain and bone china industry:

This is the highest phase of pottery ceramic work based on high temperature glaze. In this industry we can produce electrical and electronics items, pots for chemical uses and other useful pots and toys which are more precious. Today utensils and other pots, decorative articles which are made of bone china are more attractive, transitive, popular and light in weight. That?s why these articles always attract the market and the youth can choose this field as an option of occupation.

There are many institutions and organizations which can help and assist to start this type of industry. One can take help from these organizations/schemes:

(B) Helping organizations/ schemes:

1. Khadi and Gramodyog Commission

2. PMRY and SHGY schemes

3. CAPARTM

4. NABARD

5. Department of Science and Technology

6. Culture Ministry/ Department

7. Small and Cottage Industry Commission.

In India there are many training and education centre for pottery ceramics. With higher degree courses (B.F.A and M.F.A) there are many short term and certificate courses available. These institutions provide modern knowledge and techniques of the pottery ceramics to the youth. Some of them are follows:

From six months to one year programme:

* Khamapur Pottery Centre, Karnataka.

* Khurjaya Pottery Centre, UP

* Gramodaya Sangh Bhadrawati, Chandrapur, M.H

* National Centre for Fine Art, Lucknow

From three years to Five years Programme:

* Arts College and Faculty of the University

* College of Arts and Crafts, Lucknow

* College of Arts and Crafts, Delhi

* Faculty of Fine-Arts, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot, Satna, MP

* Faculty of Visual Art, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

* Kala Bhawan, Vishwabharti, Santiniketan