Terracotta History

#Asharikandi #Dhubri #Asharikanditerracotta #Gauripur

Asharikandi is a village in Debitola development block in Dhubri district of Assam, The village is located at ~14 kilometers distance east of Dhubri town and ~190 kilometers west of the state capital Guwahati and Borjhar Airport. According to 2001 India census, Asharikandi had a population of 1,872 in 305 households. Males constitute ~51% of the population and females ~49%.The village is famous for its traditional crafts, Terracotta and Pottery. It is one of the largest clusters of Terracotta and Pottery in India

Culture of the village

Originally, in early 19th century, a cluster of families of pottery community migrated from East Bengal to Asharikandi and maintained their profession with innovation. Thus the Assamese terracotta art and culture took its birth at Asharikandi through a few cluster of pottery families. Today more than 80% families of this village are engaged in this ethnic art (handicraft) and pass their life after selling the terracotta items in the national and international markets.Traditionally most of these families belong to 'Paul' community of Bengali ethnicity. In Assam 'Paul' means Kumar (that is, potter). These days Dhubri district has acquired a pivotal position in the terracotta and pottery markets in India and abroad.

Prominent artisans in the village

Among the numerous artisans of Asharikandi cluster, late Sarala Bala Devi, who bagged the national award on Terracotta craft in 1982 for her innovative masterpiece - HATIMA doll, a lovely female figure with a child on her lap - brought name and fame to the craft village. Dhirendra Nath Paul, a son of Sarala Bala Devi, is nationally and internationally acclaimed master craftsman on Terracotta. Mahadev Paul is one of the senior craftsmen of this cluster. He bagged the state award on Terracotta for his excellent masterpiece Ganesh.

Present status and Government initiatives

Considering the tourism potential of this craft village, the Government of Assam has declared the village as a model village and brought under its rural tourism projects. NECARDO (North East Craft And Rural Development Organisation), an NGO, has been working for the revival of the craft and socio-economic development of the craftpersons. NECARDO is also implementing a United Nations Development Project (UNDP) for the promotion of terracotta art and culture since 2006.

source: Wikipedia