Eco-friendly terracotta pottery draws huge crowd at Delhi exhibition

New Delhi: With the temperature soaring in, health conscious Delhiites are getting more and more drawn towards eco-friendly terracotta items, especially utensils and earthen water bottles available on sale at the ongoing exhibition at "Shabri".

Baked clay utensils and artefacts made by potters of Chhattisgarh and exhibited by the "Chhattisgarh Matikala Board" are a great hit amongst the buyers. The red soil available in abundance mainly in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh has a perfect blend and high density for

crafting terracotta figurines and pottery.

The craft dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization during which soil from the rivers were used for intricately crafting terracotta items and baked in the fire to produce beautiful figurines of deities, men, women, elephant, horses, pitchers, pottery items etc.

Potteries made up of terracotta have several health benefits these are natural coolants, keep the nutrients intact and also help in saving the environment.

"Clay utensils always attracted me but earlier I was hesitant to buy as it might have some impurities. I am happy that now I can buy these items because it comes through a certified state board," says a buyer at the exhibition.

Chhattisgarh has an ancient history of using terracotta items. During excavations it was found that in Harappan era people in Chhattisgarh used to build houses using terracotta walls and tiles.

Terracotta pottery represents the customs and rituals of tribal life in Chhattisgarh and represents their

emotions.