Kagzi Pottery

Kagzi pottery from Alwar, Rajasthan, is often referred to as paper-thin pottery due to its extremely delicate and lightweight nature. The name Kagzi (meaning 'paper-like') reflects these unique characteristics. Artisans in the village of Ramgarh, located in the northeastern part of Alwar district, have been practicing this craft for generations. Historical evidence suggests that the roots of Kagzi pottery can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. Ramgarh is approximately 22 km from Alwar city and is well- connected by main roads. Nestled near the Sariska Tiger Reserve, the town is surrounded by the Aravalli hills, featuring a mix of rocky terrain and dry forests. The climate in Ramgarh is typically dry, with hot summers and cold winters. During my visit in May 2024, I observed that most residents live in mud houses and are engaged in animal rearing for milk and food. The village is home to a harmonious blend of Hindu and Muslim communities, and within the pottery-making cluster, the Kumbhar and Prajapati communities are especially involved in this traditional craft.

The artisans usually live in joint families comprising 8 to 15 members. Elderly members often manage roadside shops where finished products are sold, while the younger generation—both men and women—actively participate in the production process. Women also handle household chores and childcare. Children attend school and often assist with drying and finishing pottery items. In the Kagzi pottery cluster, specific roles are divided by gender. Women prepare the raw terracotta clay, which is then used by men to shape pottery on the wheel. The traditional water pot, for example, is formed by tapping clay with a wooden bat. Once the form is complete, women enhance the surface with decorative motifs and patterns using colored slips. The objects are then sun-dried and later fired in kilns, with family members contributing to this stage as well.

Most potters work from home-based studios, occasionally helping out at neighboring workshops. Raw terracotta clay—sourced from nearby areas like Ramgarh, Rajgarh, and Malakheda—is stored near or inside their homes. The cost of raw clay ranges between ₹3000 and ₹5000 per trolley, with each trolley carrying about 40 tons. This clay is fine in texture, slightly low in plasticity, yet strong, making it ideal for detailed cut work. Other materials used in the firing process include wood, leaves, sawdust, and cow dung cakes. Artisans primarily use electric pottery wheels running at 150–180 rpm. They sit on the ground while throwing the clay to form objects. Firing is done in kilns approximately 10 feet tall, with 6 feet allocated for storing unfired pottery and 4 feet for firewood. Objects are fired at 600–800°C and then allowed to cool gradually.

Once ready, the pottery is taken to local markets or sold through artisan-owned roadside shops. The product range includes water pots, butter pots, foot scrubbers, chilam, sulpi, gullak, parat, and tawa, among others. Artisans here are highly skilled, capable of creating clay pots up to 6 feet tall, and adept at handling bulk production.

Their intricate surface decoration—especially using the sgraffito technique—has gained both national and international recognition for its precision and beauty.

One particularly striking aspect of my visit was the aesthetic method of storing cow dung cakes, known as Bithoda. These are artistically arranged using clay and cow dung, decorated with elegant geometric patterns and lines, showcasing the community’s creativity even in functional elements.