Terracotta

Bankura horse is the terracotta horse, produced in Panchmura village in Bankura district in

the Indian state of West Bengal. It has been praised for “its elegant stance and unique
abstraction of basic values.” Originally used for village rituals, it now adorns drawing rooms
across the world as symbols of Indian folk-art.[1] It is the logo of All India Handicrafts.[2]
Terracotta or clay craft has been the symbol of man's first attempt at craftsmanship, just as the
potter’s wheel was the first machine invented to use the power of motion for a productive
purpose. For many years, civilizations have been dated and assessed by the degree of skill and
beauty displayed by the earthenware found in excavations. Because of its universal appeal
pottery has often been termed as the lyric of handicrafts. However, its association with religious
rituals has imbibed it with deeper significance. In India, terracotta traditions are found from the
earliest times. The outskirts of many an Indian village, has a pipal tree with terracotta animal
figures lying underneath it. They are symbols of fulfillment of aspirations of village folk. In order to
cater to the commercial requirements of the modern global market, the village potter is often
combining the traditional rural abstractions with refined urban tastes to show pieces of terracotta
art.[1]
The principal centres where the terracotta horses and elephants are produced are Panchmura,
Rajagram, Sonamukhi and Hamirpur. Each place has its local style. The Panchmura-style of
pottery is considered the best and the finest of all the four types.[3]

Process
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 moulds 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.[3]
The terracotta horses of Bankura are turned out in two different colours. The normal terracotta
red color is obtained by letting out the smoke through the vents of the kiln after firing, and the
black colour is obtained by sealing the vents and not letting out the smoke.[3]

Significance
In the Rarh region where Dharmathakur is worshipped there is no end to the symbolic use of
terracotta and wooden horses. Symbolic sacrifice of horses for fulfillment of wishes is common
for many village gods and goddesses, but an assembly of terracotta horses of various shapes
and sizes representing sacrifice on wish fulfillment is perhaps peculiar to Dharmathakur.[4]

Shape
Terracotta horses and elephants in Bankura have been the creation of potters. Over the
centuries they have moved away from a realistic presentation to a representational presentation.
Potter-artists of different regions focused on different parts of the animal body in such a manner
that representation of the same became more important than representation of the entire body of
the animal.[5]

Geographical Indications
Bankura horse is registered under the Geographical Indications of West Bengal, named Bankura
Panchmura Terracota Craft on 28 March 2018