Bankura Panchmura Terracotta Craft is a popular craftwork from Bankura District West Bengal, in which locally available clay of brownish red colour is partially dried and cast, moulded, or hand worked into different idols, figurines, decorative items. They are crafted into desired shape and designs used as ornamental building material and in modelling. The products are excellent in workmanship, profoundly detailed and elaborately decorated.
Image credit: wbkvib.org.in
Over the time, however, clay craft has grown more advanced with the use of new designs keeping in mind the utilitarian factor. The artifacts made are mainly:
Ritual Items The ritual items include varieties of images of different deities. Their images are Manasachali or Jhar (goddess Manasa decorated with her snakes), Manasa-R Bari or Ghat, KalirGhat (pot for goddess Kali), pinched horse, elephant and other toys, Malsa (vessel) for ritual purpose, Tati (earthen cup), Ghat (earthen pot), Sara (earthen lid) Pradip (lamp) of various types, Dhupdani (incense stand), Sankha (shell) etc.
Household Utility Items They prepare pitcher, various types of vessels such as Hadi / Hari (rice pot), Guji (pot to collect date palm juice), Khabri for frying of rice, Karai (frying pan), Malsa (vessel), Glass, Plates etc.
Decorative and Artistic Items Terracotta horses and elephants in Bankura have been the creation of potters. Over the centuries they have moved away from a realistic presentation to a representational presentation. Potter-artists of different regions focused on different parts of the animal body in such a manner that representation of the same became more important than representation of the entire body of the animal.
Terracotta Ornaments, one of the oldest forms of jewellery which includes several items like earrings, ear studs, necklaces, pendants, bangles and bracelets. The designs are mostly inspired by nature and depicted animals, leaves, flowers and then moved on to traditional motifs and elaborate patterns.
The source of their raw material is the rich, alluvial clay found in Bengal’s rivers. Bankura artisans do not compromise on the quality of mati or clay. They use the finest quality of clay available on the banks of the Ganges, commonly known as Ganga mati (clay from the Ganges) or from its tributary river. It is quite interesting that the artists even take care of the age of the mati. The older the alluvial clay, the better the quality.
The terracotta horse is characterized by its typical shape. In particular, it has a long rounded neck with erect ear and tail. It also has its legs rounded and tapered. The specialty of the Bankura Terracotta Craft is the proper proportion of the figure and motifs used on product. One more important feature of this art is that they use only natural colours.
The conception of design and plotting it on the products require great skill and experience. The correct choice of design and intricacy of the work are given by the master craftsman based upon the consumers /market requirement.
GI Tag Registration Date : 28 March 2018
GI Tag Number : 453
Certificate Number : 306
Geographical Area : West Bengal
Special Cover Release Date : 29 November 2021
Cancellation : Bankura 722 101
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : WB/29/2021
Enlarged View of Illustration
Enlarged View of Cancellation
Back Side Scan
India Post has also issued a commemorative stamp related to Bankura Panchmura Terracotta Craft, details of the same is furnished below
Bankura Horse
Commemorative Postage Stamp
Date of Issue : 14-Nov-1957
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