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Earthen dolls and toys occupy an important place in clay crafts which can be grouped under several distinct categories. Some of the dolls have the sole purpose as a play thing for the children and such dolls, in most cases made by moulds dried and fired and then finished with water colour and a coat of varnish. A separate set of traditional dolls like decorated pitcher, lamps etc., had its origin in the religious and ritualistic needs of the people. The clay dolls of Krishnanagar of Nadia district represent a class by itself and is relatively later addition to the traditional type. Unlike the traditional products, these dolls and toys are out and out realistic where a faithful copy from mature has been tried down to the minutest details so much so that they often deceive the onlookers by their naturalness. Fruits, fish, insects, animals, birds, images of God and Goddesses are some of their distinctive products. Another group relates to faithful representations of life around like the farmers, the wood cutters, the rag-pickers, the umbrella makers etc., which are not only life-like but are also endowed with a mood and character of the typical specimens of the particular class. The famous Bankura horse is an outstanding specimen of craftsmanship. The beauty lies in their graceful, vigorous form and simplicity in design. Other notable specimens in this group include Bankura elephants, flower vase, lampshade, mansa ghat, mansa gharh, Dakshin Ray of South 24- Parganas etc. |
