The Clay Craft
A documentary on pottery making in India
(Expected Duration: 15 minutes)
Written & Directed by: Pravitha Gopikannan
Concept and Depth of Coverage:
Pottery is an ancient and a very niche art. All over the world, there is lot of history to how this art got developed and
imbibed into each culture. In India, this craft started during the Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro times and flourished
through ages, but the current scenario is different. Like all the other creative arts, even pottery is under negligence in
India. Though the pottery ware from India is sold at high prices across the globe, the original potter’s life is still in
hardships. Also, there is lack of knowledge base with the people in this profession, i.e., ignorance eats their craft away.
The documentary covers this concept in three layers:
1. The traditional or the conventional pottery which is making pots from clay. How they make the pots – the
fingers and the magic, how hard their life is, what they lack, how it is impossible for us to make the pot, how
we get involved so quickly with them and it’s hard to bid ‘good bye’
2. Ceramic pottery where the same art is done more scientifically with equipment and right composition of
the ceramic clay
3. Ceramic doll making, which is an extension of the pot making process where the fundamentals are same,
yet the produced products, i.e., dolls are quite different to be dealt with – coloring and painting them is
needed.
In all three layers, there are visuals about the process, the finished products and some interviews with the people who
practice this art. When everything is combined to build the story, the transition between the 3 layers of the
documentary is essential and also the story & narration change is needed.
The final call: When we receive a piece of work next time, we know how it’s actually worthy to spare a minute for the
potter who invented this very craft of making objects from clay. Let us “Preserve”, “Support” and “Nurture” these
artists whose nimble fingers unearth treasures everyday. And we know that, that is the least we can do!
The Script
Opening Montage:

Black screen opens with the beautiful view of pots through which the sun rays cut through to produce lens
flair. The camera tilts up to show the potter at work in a silhouette. Soft and pleasant background music to
open – flute/veena/sitar.
Voice Over Narration: Thousands of years ago, man found a way to make objects from clay.

Very quick visual changes of different pots with very fast ‘ghatam beats’ in the background score.

“The Clay Craft” title appears.

Top angle shot where the wheel is rotating with the pot on top, in slow motion.
Voice Over Narration: In India, the story back dates to the times of Harappa & Mohenjo-Daro. An art - that
transformed human beings. An art - that helped us evolve a basic kitchen. An art - that is forgotten and
neglected today. In quest, we begin our journey…
Layer 1 – Traditional Pottery
(All music to support a village’s flavor)

Visuals of Thiruneermalai, the temple, the temple waters and the scenery.
Voice Over Narration: Beauty, Serenity. Thiruneermalai, a small temple town in the outskirts of Chennai, is
where the potters live. The potters live in a narrow lane nearby.

The shot of potter’s narrow lane, the kids playing and the hut.

Interview shots in slow motion and pot being worshipped as god
Voice Over Narration: We talk to them and we first realize, it is not just a profession to them. They seem to
worship pottery.

Shots of clay preparation - Women breaking the big pieces to small and drying the clay.
Voice Over Narration: When we ask we want to shoot pottery making process, well, they say we need to wait
then. The women at work are first preparing their clay. They ask us to come back the next day at 6 in the
morning, if we need to see more.

Shots of mist filled streets and temple view
Voice Over Narration: We come back as obedient students the next morning when the streets are still
covered with morning mist. Only! They are already at work.

Shots of clay softening with hands and feet.
Voice Over Narration: The meticulous and fine process of clay preparation takes sometime. We watch as the
hands and feet are at work!

Shots of Pottery making (Very key shots)
Voice Over Narration: As the master of the art takes control of the wheel, we watch with sheer admiration.
We watch and watch, with constant awe…

Shots of me trying pottery
Voice Over Narration: The thrill and excitement makes us try it! It is better not to try matching those
magical fingers.

Shots of pots arranged in order
Voice Over Narration: If symmetry could be produced so perfectly each time by human fingers, what else is
not possible?

Fast music to show the pots are turned upside first. Shot showing sun is right above the head. The
arrangement in sun. (All fast forwarded)
Voice Over Narration: As the sun is right above, they turn the pots upside down. The potter’s father out
there, preparing the dried pots for the next step. After days of sun bathing, the cute little friends are ready
to be set on fire!

Fast music to show the pots are set on fire (fast forwarded shots)
Voice Over Narration: The little ones are arranged in a particular fashion…and the instant furnace they
create, to burn them... seems to come from years of experience…!
Seems like they are very meticulous in what they do… but, is life that simple to them? We ask…

Interview shots where they say how tough their life is. How they sell it for very low price.
Voice Over Narration: The despair is deep, the struggle is apparent, yet one can question, what stops them
from pushing their limits? Well, the answer could be subjective… Something keeps them going and they
don’t want to give up.

Random shots of the place, how we made friends with them and kids running to say bye...
Voice Over Narration: Within days we have made a bond. And now, it’s hard to say ‘good bye’
Layer2 – Ceramic Pottery

Travel shots to Auroville.
Voice Over Narration: Memory still wandering backwards…we travel forward…

Mantra location shots.
Voice Over Narration: In the lush green surroundings of Auroville, is the Ceramic Pottery making firm called Mantra,
run by Mr. Angad Waara. His master employee Mr. R.Gopalakrishnan has been in the business for over 12 years and
he is claimed to be a very talented decorator and thrower. He illuminates the ceramic pot making process to us…

Shots for Sophisticated and clear methods for preparation of ceramic clay and Mr.Gopal’s interview visuals
mixed.

Shots of ceramic pot making
Voice Over Narration: After the brown magic, we see the white magic in front of us... the spell still remains
the same…

Shots of coating wax at the bottom of the pot
Voice Over Narration: The bottom is coated with wax…and he says we will see why, shortly… The color
coating happens, and beautifully, the waxed bottom doesn’t pick the color…what an art!

Shots of painting the ceramic pot
Voice Over Narration: Though the basic craft remains the same, ceramic pottery has an additional feather in
its hat… Yes, we are talking about pot decoration…

Shots of finished products
Voice Over Narration: Every piece is art here. The color, the shape, the texture and the bliss it could add to
your beautiful dining table is truly profound. Can we guess the price of every piece here sold abroad?
Something to think about, isn’t it?
Layer3 – Ceramic Doll Making

Travel shots to Virudhachalam.
Voice Over Narration: As the sun takes longer angles on us, we travel more… in thoughts and in distance...
80kms from Auroville is Virudhachalam. The place known for its mass production of ceramic toys...

Quick and random shots of dolls…(white ceramic dolls)
(Fast music)

Fast music when moulds are shown to produce large lumps of similar shaped pieces.

Shot of Women arranging the small lamps
Voice Over Narration: The beautiful small lamp that ignites every house during a festival is made here….

Shots of doll coloring and painting
Voice Over Narration: We admire those fast fingers at work, just like that of the potter’s. Don’t we?

Shots of finished beautiful dolls…
Voice Over Narration: Next time when we receive a ceramic toy or an expensive tea pot set as a gift, we will
know it’s a piece of work!
Ending Note and Credits:
Artisans at work and their children to be shown in slow motion.
Voice Over Narration: This has been an enriching journey. From Clay pot, to Ceramic ware to Ceramic dolls. It all
begins with ‘Mother Earth’. Let’s celebrate these artists whose nimble fingers unearth treasures everyday. ‘Preserve’,
‘Support’ and ‘Nurture’ these artists. That is the least we can do!
THE END