Potters without a Wheel: Ethnography of the Mritshilpis in Kolkata

This book explores the identity of clay idol-makers in Kumartuli, Kolkata, India, as mritshilpis, or clay artists, who work with their hands instead of a wheel. It examines how they embrace and expand their market based on this variation and elevated status, and how commodity markets are shaped by urbanisation, popular demand, corporatisation, and commodification of culture. It highlights the larger structural relationship between urbanisation, indigenous occupational categories, and identity politics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 24 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate world of clay idol-makers in Kumartuli, Kolkata, India, shedding light on their remarkable visibility and identity within the city's vibrant creative culture. For over a century, these clay artists have played a pivotal role in shaping the city's artistic landscape, and their carefully crafted identity as "mritshilpis," or clay artists, sets them apart from ordinary potters. Through meticulous exploration, the book uncovers the essence of this identity, emphasizing the artists' unique approach of working with their hands rather than a wheel. It delves into the conscious embrace and expansion of their market based on this variation and elevated status as artists, rather than mere artisans. Furthermore, the book explores the deep-rooted embeddedness of this identity within the commodity markets, shedding light on the complex interplay between urbanization, popular demand, corporatization, and the commodification of culture. It demonstrates how these trends have shaped the contours of clay idol-making as both an occupation and a brand identity.

Drawing on extensive fieldwork and in-depth interviews, the book unveils the broader structural relationship between urbanization, indigenous occupational categories, and identity politics. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars and researchers across a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, social anthropology, political studies, cultural history, urban economy, art history, urbanization, cultural studies, and urban sociology. By delving into the lives and livelihoods of clay idol-makers, this book offers a profound understanding of the complexities and dynamics of urban culture, providing valuable insights into the evolving nature of identity and the role of creative industries in shaping our world.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032023618