When I think Santiniketan (a place in India), I think of my mom (Maa). This post is an ode to her and her love for the place. In her words, “Ahh ki shanti ekhane” - “There is so much peace in here”.
In Santiniketan, artists mainly do Terracotta work. They take advantage of the red soil that is found naturally in the environment and make art a part of it.
What is Terracotta?
Terracotta is usually made from a fairly coarse, porous type of clay. This is first shaped (or sculpted), then fired until hard. In the ancient world, it was left to harden in the hot sun; later, it was baked in primitive ovens created in the ashes of open fires.
Wall art using Terracotta outside our house
Maa and I
Village woman - Terracotta
Terracotta lamps
It was a pleasure to walk into this new age café.
Terracotta exhibition
The exhibition showed everyday life through the sculptures
Beautifully decorated mud house in Santiniketan
Passing by through the village, I spotted this house
An artists paradise
We visited a nearby studio in Santiniketan