Blue Pottery is an art form that tempts you to either learn the skill, buy the marvellous craft, or simply do both. The Pink City of Jaipur offers various places where you can watch craftsmen make products of this pottery, enrol for blue pottery workshops, make your own pottery and take it home or just buy some.
Blue Pottery is Jaipur's traditional craft. It is a handmade Turko-Persian art form that was brought to India by Turks in the 15th century and introduced in Rajasthan by Raja Sawai Ram Singh II of Jaipur in the 19th century. As an imported art form, it combined Chinese glazing techniques with Persian decorative arts. Animal and bird motifs, flowers, Hindu deities, and geometrical patterns are painted by craftsmen on the moulded pieces that give them ecstatic beauty. Some art studios in Jaipur work hard every day to keep this craft alive. They hold Blue pottery workshops in Jaipur to spread the experience of making these delicate pieces and have open shops for visitors and buyers.
1. RN Blue Art Potteries
Ramnarayan Prajapat, a local from KotJewar village, started the Ramnarayan (RN) Blue Art Potteries in 1980. It is an artisans organization, working on the production & marketing floor of "Gramin Blue Art Pottery Samiti" (NGO) at Kot Jewar. Around 250 artisans are associated with the Samiti, who produce this art at their own residence. Their pottery has been featured in several German newspapers, French magazines, and Indian English, Hindi, and local dailies. Being a curator of Rajasthan's traditional art, it has been awarded the Best Brand of India Award 2019 and has participated in several festivals and expos at home and abroad.
Shop - Doorknobs, candle stands, photo frames, vases, crockery, lanterns, perfume bottles, and more.
Workshop - RN Blue Art Potteries hold workshops for people to learn and experience the art. With a charge of ₹500 per day, you will make 5 small items of blue pottery, with all the stages of production included.
Studio's Location - Village KotJewar, near Jyoti Vidya Peeth Women's University, Jaipur Ajmer highway (NH8).
2. Ram Gopal Blue Pottery
In the 1960s, when the craft of blue pottery was on the verge of extinction, Padmashri Kripal Singh Shekhawat helped the art find its base back in Jaipur. He also trained and perfected his devoted pupil Shri Gopal Saini, M. A. in drawing and painting. Shri Saini established his own unit called Ram Gopal Blue Pottery, in Jaipur, where he creates art of varied dimensions and teaches the craft to others. He has also mentored his daughter, Garima Saini, who now takes care of the studio. Shri Saini was recognized with the Ship Guru Award in 2016 and a National Award by the Ministry of Textiles in 2009. In his studio, he creates articles with utmost care and precision. With his unique blue pottery techniques, he also represents Mohenjo Daro and Harappan Cultures in his creations. Shri Saini's pottery has also been showcased at exhibitions and festivals worldwide.
Shop - Pitchers, Tiles, Statues like Lord Ganesh, Elephants, Peacocks, Birds, Fountains, Vases, Bowls, Doorknobs, Incense Stick Stands, Bathroom Fittings, Coasters, Napkin Holders, Perfume Bottles, Lamps, Minar Lamp.
Workshop - Ram Gopal Blue Pottery hosts experiences every day, with a per-day fee of ₹2000, for a duration of 2-3 hrs. You will learn the process of blue pottery on a plate. For 15 days workshop, the fee is ₹5000 inclusive of raw materials. The fee for a month-long workshop is ₹10,000 inclusive of raw materials.
Studio's Location - 81, Vishnu Garden, Tonk Rd, opp. Sanganer, Airport, Jaipur.
3. Jaipur Blue Pottery Art Centre
Mr. Anil Doraya started making blue pottery art when he was just 11 years old, and today he owns his own shop and studio, full of beautifully handcrafted articles. The Doraya family has been running this manufacturing and export house for years. They are one of the few families, who are keeping the art alive in Pink City. Apart from selling the blue pottery articles, they also host Blue Pottery workshops in Jaipur and teach the techniques to interested people. One distinctive quality of their work is the making of necklaces and earrings.
Shop - You can shop for vases, tiles, plates, dinner sets, jewellery, doorknobs, trays, incense stick holders, and many more products.
Workshop - Per day charge of the workshop at Jaipur Blue Pottery Art Centre is ₹1800. An extra charge of ₹500 will be applicable for the firing of the product.
Studio's Location - Near Jain Mandir, Amer Road, Jaipur.
4. The Lune Store
The Lune Store is a 21st-century take on the ages-old blue art. Shreya Khandelwal, an interior designer by profession, started the store in August 2021. The Lune Store specializes in locally handcrafted blue pottery, hand block printing, and ceramics. Their manufacturing unit is located in Sanganer, where all the products pass through the hands of 40 skilled craftsmen who curate and create beautiful home decor pieces.
Shop - Magnificent blue glazed items from clothes hangers and plates to soap dispensers are available here. DM them on Instagram for the complete catalogue of products and place orders.
Workshop - Workshops to experience the making of blue pottery artefacts will be coming out soon. Stay posted on The Lune Store's Instagram page for more info.
Studio's Location - Sanganer, Jaipur.
Featured Image Source - Ram Gopal Blue Pottery
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