19th May 1996

Pottery revival

By Hiranthi Fernando

Passing the village of Molagoda on the Kandy Road, a wide assortment of earthenware is seen ranged along the roadside. Pots of varying shapes and sizes, decorative vases, urns, bowls, stands, jugs and goblets, cutwork lampshades, birdbaths and garden ornaments as well as painted animals fill the stalls that stretch along both sides of the road. Domestic cooking utensils are also seen piled up at the back of the stalls. Many a traveller is tempted to stop and buy the attractive terra-cotta handiwork of the Molagoda potters, which are sold much cheaper than in the city.

Tucked away off the main road lies the little village of the traditional potters. Originally, there were about ten families in the village, said K.P. Amarapala whose family was among the original villagers. The whole village used to make walang(cooking pots)Ó. Now, there are about fifty families engaged in making pottery.

Amarapala and his wife Asilin turn out about 150 flower pots each day. The pots are sold at Rs.10/= each. Amarapala learned the craft from his father. The family now runs a shop on the roadside where the pottery is sold. Their three sons turn out large vases and decorative pots in a workshed behind the shop. Amarapala's mother, elderly Nona Hamy also lends a hand in making the flower pots. She had been engaged in pottery making since she was a young bride of eighteen or nineteen years.

Amarapala explained that about 20 30 years ago, the potters formed themselves into a co-operative society and were granted a clay field nearby by the government. This increased the popularity of the craft in the area, and more families settled in the village. However, the clay in this field is now used up. It is only after another 30 40 years that this field would yield clay once more for the potters.

Walking along the gravel track that led through the village, piles of clay and various forms of pottery were seen in every house and compound. Thirteen year old Susanthi Rajakaruna was seated on the ground hard at work sand papering a clay animal she held on her lap. She was surrounded by a variety of animals which she said were made in plaster of Paris moulds. Susanthi works on the pottery animals after she returns, from school each day. Her father, W.T. Vitharana, one of the more recent settlers of the village specialises in making these clay animals which are painted before sale. He employs four to five workers in his workshop.

Working at the back of their roadside shop, A. Panditharatne and his wife Latha turn out a variety of clay items. Many large ornamental pots and vases are seen in their shop. Panditharatne buys his clay from Dewalagama or from sites around Polgahawela. A tractor load of clay costs about Rs.1,500/=. He explained the process of preparing the clay and turning out the pottery.

The hard lumpy clay is first soaked in water for about six hours to soften it. Then small portions are taken and hammered with an iron rod. The slightly softened lumps are then flaked into pieces using bamboo splints. Once again the clay is mixed with some water and kneaded. It is a tedious process. The clay is then mixed with sand. Small portions are placed on the potters wheel and moulded into shape by hand as the wheel is turned. Gradually, more clay is added and the vase takes shape. Latha, whose father was also a potter said that a large vase which is sold for about Rs.1,200/= takes them about six days to make.

After the pots are made, they are fired in an improvised kiln built of bricks, straw and clay. The kiln is provided with openings for the fuel to be inserted and the air to escape. After firing for about 14 hours, the pottery is ready for sale.

Earthenware was a common requirement in every home. Thus the potter performed an important function in the village from time immemorial. Pottery was one of the most persistently practised age old crafts. Traditional potters working in their homes or close to clay sites for generations helped to preserve the craft and develop it into a typical rural industry.

At Molagoda, the Pottery Centre established by the Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board provided facilities for training the village craftsmen. The potters of Molagoda thus deviated from producing the utility domestic utensils and turned to ornamental pottery increasingly popular in today's decor. The wide array of glazed and unglazed terracotta ware seen at Molagoda demonstrates the talent of these craftsmen and their ability to respond to new trends in design.

Continue to Plus page 3 - Plantation Homes: Charming simplicity

Go to letters to the Editor

Return to the Plus contents page