Clay Crafts of Madhya Pradesh :

Clay Crafts of Madhya Pradesh have the distinct style of creating terracotta and clay articles.Clay Crafts of Madhya Pradesh are known for the terracotta items that are part of an antique tradition of the state. The art of creating terracotta items is one of the oldest traditions in India. In fact the artists from Madhya Pradesh have preserved the traditional craft form with their own perseverance.

Terracotta Figures :

Clay Craft is practiced in almost all region of Madhya Pradesh and each region has its own distinct style and artistry to display. The terracotta items of Madhya Pradesh are made by following a mature process of moulding and decorating the clay items. Clay crafts of Madhya Pradesh involve decorating the created items with great artistry after it is dried and baked properly. The colours of terracotta articles and figures are found in pink, red, brown to light and dark grey colours. One of the major centres of clay craft of Madhya Pradesh is located in Bastar. The artisans create famous traditional statues of elephants, serpents, birds and horses which stand unique in their simplicity and rustic tone. In addition to these, the decorative roof tiles and 'rukha padki' of Raigarh are also well known for their authenticity. The Bundelkhand terracotta of Madhya Pradesh stands apart for the life-size images of human forms. This form is particularly practiced by the tribal communities of Bundelkhand.

Pottery :

The terracotta pottery of Madhya Pradesh is simply remarkable, especially that practiced by the tribals of Bastar. Traditional statues of elephants, serpents, birds and horses from Bastar are incomparable in their simplicity and are offered to the local deity as an offering in lieu of sacrifice. The Bhils of Jhabua and adjacent Chhota Udaipur in Gujarat also trust in animal offerings made from clay. Their potters mould distinctive clay horses, camels, elephants, tigers and bullocks that are then offered to a village deity or to a revered animal itself such as the tiger.

Set down in the sacred grove that always lies in a secluded spot near the settlement, the terracotta animals are clustered together in a jumble of new and old, all eventually disintegrating and returning to the earth in their turn.Sarguja, Raipur and Raigarh have a charming tradition of decorative roof top tiles, made partly by hand moulding and partly on the wheel. These tiles, shaped like half tubes, have perched on top of them figures of elephants, monkeys, bears, reptiles, gods and goddesses and are considered a status symbol among the rural people.

Tiles, decorative items :

Clay crafts of Madhya Pradesh include creating decorative roof top tiles that are made partly by hand moulding and partly on the potter's wheel. These tiles are shaped like half tubes and the figures of elephants, monkeys, bears, reptiles, gods and goddesses are placed on top of them. Apart from terracotta items and other decorative items made out of clay comprise conventional dolls and toy making which need proper skill and artistry. These dolls are made of cloth pieces and clay by the artisans of Madhya Pradesh. The handmade clay toys of Madhya Pradesh are prepared in hollow shapes and sometimes the clay toys are formed with solid figures. Animal figures like horses, elephants, dogs, lions, birds, deer and bulls are made on wheels.

The local people of Madhya Pradesh worship the idols of the gods and goddesses. Local people of Madhya Pradesh sometimes place terracotta animal figures under trees and in shrines.