Mantra Handmade Pottery

I’ve been here in Kottakarai for a while now. Most days start with wet clay and ends with dust all over my clothes. It’s just how things are at Mantra Handmade Pottery. We don't have fancy machines, just a wheel and some basic tools that have seen better days. The weather usually dictates when we can fire the kiln, which can be a bit of a headache during the rainy season. People stop by sometimes to see what's on the racks. It's quiet mostly. Sometimes a piece cracks in the oven and you just have to start over. That's the part nobody likes talking about but it happens more than I'd care to admit. The floor is always a bit muddy. I try to sweep it but it doesn’t stay clean for long. We make bowls, mugs, and some bigger pots when there's space. It’s not a big operation. Just a few of us working with our hands. You get used to the smell of damp earth. Sometimes we drink tea out of the rejects while waiting for the next batch to dry. It's a slow process. You can't rush the clay or it just slumps. We just keep at it day after day. It's physical work. My back hurts by evening but seeing a finished pot makes it okay. Nothing is perfectly symmetrical, but that’s fine with me. It feels real that way. Just stuff made here in the village. One time the roof leaked on some fresh plates. We had to wedge that clay again. It was a long afternoon. But that’s just how it goes when you’re working with your hands in a place like this.