Molela clay work is a hollow relief terracotta craft from Molela a small village situated on the banks of river Banas in Rajasthan .They are basically plaques with images of male and female deities in anthropomorphic forms. The plaques are made of supple and sticky clay dug from the banks of river Banas and from the village lake.
There is an interesting story behind the genesis of this unique craft of India. Legend has it that God Dharamraja appeared in the dream of a blind potter who was poor and finding it difficult to make both ends meet. The Lord then gave him a blessing that if he created idols from a certain kind of clay, his eyesight would be cured and all his financial troubles will be gone. The next morning, his sight got restored as he created the lord’s idol to fulfill his promise.
The potters of Molela have been making votive (presented to God as a sign of thanks) plaques of local Gods and Goddesses like Deonarayan, Dharamraj (is caretaker of justice and keeps an account of the `karma’ of a person. He is an accomplice of Yamraj, the God of dead), Kala Bhairon (black and ferocious) and Gora Bhairon (white and compassionate), Sheshavatar (incarnation of Vishnu – in form of a snake), Chamunda, Kalika, Awanmata, Durga, Ganesh.
Specific colours are used to identify different deities such as blue is used for kala bhairav and orange is used for gora bhairav. The colours are prepared using natural stones and minerals found in the region. Palewa is the clay slip which is used to prepare different colours when mixed with different stone and minerals. Dawrigund, a vegetable gum is used as a binder. Jala, a locally available laquer coat is used for the shine.
Entire plaque is created without the use of the potter’s wheel and it is totally hand done job. The final product is lighter weight when compared to other terracotta items made in other places. This is because the flat slabs of clay are hand moulded to give raised forms and the area underneath remains hollow. The religious molela tiles are prepared in such a manner that they appear as a miniature temple design. Each tile has five structural domes, pillars, central deity and floral beams.
The dimension given to images, through the raised work gives a life like impression which is unique. The plaque images of gods and goddesses are decorated with raised coiled and round dots. These are further ornamented with impressions made by certain tools, in form of linear diagonals, small round dots, radiating lines and even holes.
Nowadays, keeping in mind the contemporary buyer, the traditional potters are innovating their designs with Plaques depicting various scenes from a village life and wedding processions.
GI Tag Registration Date : 10 July 2008
GI Tag Number : 67
Certificate Number : 75
Geographical Area : Rajasthan
Special Cover Release Date : 18 August 2021
Cancellation : Jaipur 302 001
Type : GI Tag Cover
This cover is issued with 7 other covers as a Presentation Pack titled "Special Cover & Cancellation - Geographical Indications of Rajasthan" priced at Rs. 100 per pack. Total quantity issued 2500 Nos.
Enlarged View of Illustration
Back Side Scan of Cover
India post has issued a picture post card on Molela Clay Work. Details are furnished below
Picture Post Card Issued on 16 October 2021
Rajasthan Postal Circle
Back Side depicting Cancellation at Jaipur - 302001 on 16 October 2021
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