A Black Beauty

The origin of this art can be traced back to the period of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. A labor- intensive craft, the making of the pottery requires clay, which is procured during the summer months to be stored in the houses through the year. The clay, which is rich in mica, is meticulously molded on the potter’s wheel into a desired shape and then sun dried for several days. A layer of mustard oil is then applied on the dried product to impart both strength and luster. The product is subjected to a second round on the potter’s wheel in order to remove any anomalies in shape. The women folk then etch intricate patterns on the dried clay with a fine needle. Once again, the product is coated with mustard oil and fired in the kiln.

 An interesting feature about this pottery is the way its unique black colour is achieved. Well, there’s a science behind it! The unusual black colour of the pottery is achieved by creating an oxygen free environment in the kiln. As oxygen tends to turn clay red, the potters ensure that the kilns are kept air tight during the firing process and thus clay acquires black colour. While still hot from the kiln, lacquer is applied to the pottery to enhance its shine. Finally, silver paint,which is a blend of an equal amount of lead, zinc, and mercury, is used to fill the grooves of the etched patterns.

A Glimpse into The Past

The Black Pottery from Nizamabad has a deep cultural legacy. The art form has been preserved through the ages with each generation earnestly passing it down to the next. A particular local community called ‘Prajapati’ contributes chiefly towards the preservation of this craft. Today approximately five hundred registered pottery artists along with their families are working to keep this tradition alive. The women folk of the households are too equally involved in enhancing the beauty of this craft.