Kumbharwada

Dharavi Spread over 13 acres in Dharavi, Kumbharwada is home to 5,000 potter families, but only 500-700 families still practice this art. It is one of the first settlements in Dharavi, built by migrants from Gujarat in the second half of the 19th Century. This community is divided into 4 wadis / divisions that sculpt pots of all shapes and sizes. From small cups for yoghurt to diya candles, larger water pots to ornamental vases.



In the lanes of Kumbharwada



Sculpting Before the clay is transformed into a product, it goes through kneading and wedging, that requires one to walk on the clay to loosen it and then knead it with their hands to avoid air bubbles. Once this process is done, they are ready to be crafted into beautiful objects. This can be done using a traditional wheel which needs to be spun by hand or by using the electrical wheel.





M A S S P R O D U C T I O N



Efficiency The traditional method of With the use of electric wheel, making a pot used to consist of a all one has to do is press a button wheel that needed to be rotated and keep creating vessels without by hand, it was a tedious task. It any hassle. It is highly efficient caused a lot of time and energy and yields higher profits. loss and also resulted in hand injuries.

Smoothing out edges using a paddle



Moulding Another method used to make utensils is to use readily availiable moulds with details and designs. Large pots made using this method are less prone to breakage and more time efficient.





B H A T T I

Baking Only with propr baking of earthen One of them being the traditional ware in a kiln at extremely high furnces, that require waste temperatures, we get a tough and material and tiles to be put in break resistent utensil. There are the bottom. These furnaces two types of furnaces that are are actually extremely harmful used in Kumbharwad. as they produce toxic smoke that lingers in the bylanes of The other way of baking the Kumbharwada, causing a threat utensils, is using a gas furnace. to health and lifestyle of the It even has features that let’s people living in there. one control the temperature , making it easier to bake different utensils. Even though traditional furnaces are expensive, need regular maintenance and materials to keep it functional, it is opted by most of the potter families.



Smoke filled lanes





Final Touches The earthen ware in the end is given finishing touches with paint, shine and embelishments. Few vessels that have small cracks or broken edges are mended using cement.



F E S T I V I T I E S







90% of Mumbai’s earthen ware comes from Kumbharwada.The potter families articulate vessels taking inspiration from their culture and blend it with modern age requirements. The hustle bustle of the gullys during festivals like Diwali and Makar Sankranti is worth experiencing. One must definitely visit Kumbharwada to mould some memories.



Khushi Choudhari 5000012524 UGFMC