The rich pottery traditions of India, whether it is the Blue Pottery of Jaipur or Terracotta of West Bengal, trace their origin back to prehistoric times. A similar artistic heritage has percolated down the generations in Uttar Pradesh, popularly known as Chinhat Pottery. The artisans of Lucknow's Chinhat region have been moulding wet clay into artful objects, that have been used for decor and more, since time immemorial. If you too love traditional crafts, then tag along with us to know more about Chinhat Pottery!
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Chinhat Pottery derives its name from the place where its artisans lived- Chinhat, located on the fringes of Lucknow. This locality emerged as a popular hub for pottery products, especially during the 1970s, as its indigenous earthenwares garnered the attention of art lovers from both India and abroad.
It is also widely believed that Lucknowites used cups and saucers to drink their coffee, before the Chinhat artisans introduced coffee mugs. At the time, this was indeed a revolutionary introduction in Lucknow's market, which, undoubtedly caught the attention of buyers!
What distinguishes Chinhat Pottery from other traditions of this craft is that, unlike other craftsmen, Chinhat artisans produce finished goods without using any kind of machinery. However, with the introduction of machine-produced goods which are available at cheaper rates, Chinhat Pottery has almost faded into oblivion.
Next time you get a chance to buy a piece of this craft, do not hesitate, for it will be a step in the direction of preserving the heritage art and craft of this city. You can contribute towards uplifting the status of Chinhat Pottery simply by making a few beautiful additions to your home! So when around this locale, bag a few of these handmade beauties and do refrain from haggling with the small-scale vendors.
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