PICTORIAL STORY
February 9, 2025
CLAY AND ASHES
The Potters’ Colony of Uttam Nagar
Photography and story by Abdulla Shinose CK
Introduction by Melanie Meggs
Abdulla Shinose CK, an emerging documentary filmmaker and photographer with an academic background in history and political science from the University of Delhi, explores the evolving relationship between tradition and modernity in his work. His practice is grounded in cultural heritage, focusing on communities whose way of life is being reshaped by economic and social change.
In “Clay and Ashes”, Abdulla offers a rare look into a craft at an instable position, where survival depends on both adaptation and the preservation of a fragile but enduring cultural legacy. He turns his lens on Kumhar Gram, a potters’ colony in West Delhi where artisans have shaped clay for generations. This series captures the daily rhythms of a community navigating the pressures of industrialization, environmental regulations, and shifting consumer habits. Each photograph offers a window into the potters’ world revealing both the beauty of their craft and the precarity of its survival.
This is Abdulla's story.
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Tucked away in the busy lanes of West Delhi, Kumhar Gram, or the Potter's Colony, is a living testament to the endurance of tradition in an ever-evolving city. Founded in the 1960s by families migrating from Alwar, this community of over 700 families has maintained its age-old craft of pottery-making, which remains central to their identity and livelihood.
As one meanders through the dust-laden paths of Uttam Nagar, the air hums with the rhythmic spinning of potter’s wheels. The colony's narrow lanes are lined with workshops, where every house is both a home and a production site. Piles of clay sit drying in the open, while artisans carefully craft everything from kulhars to decorative idols. The quiet tapping of fired clay resonates from every corner, each beat echoing the legacy of a craft passed down through generations. Yet, despite the labor-intensive art being central to their lives, the potters’ future is uncertain.
The rise of mass-produced plastic and metal items has diminished demand for traditional clay products. Moreover, the colony faces scrutiny from environmental authorities for the pollution created by the kiln operations. These challenges, compounded by caste-based marginalization, paint a picture of a community struggling to preserve its cultural heritage while confronting the harsh realities of modern urbanization.
However, amidst these challenges, the spirit of the potters endures. Known as Prajapatis, after the Vedic god of creation, their craft is not merely a livelihood but a vital connection to their roots. In their hands, clay becomes more than just material - it becomes a symbol of survival, resistance, and identity. As the community continues to craft their wares, their struggle to preserve both their art and their place in a rapidly changing world carries on, generation after generation.
Abdulla Shinose CK’s “Clay and Ashes” serves as more than just a visual record of Kumhar Gram’s potters — it is a powerful reflection on the delicate balance between tradition and progress. The community stands at a crossroads, fighting to sustain its craft against industrialization, environmental restrictions, and shifting consumer preferences. Their struggle is not just about pottery; it represents a broader metaphor for cultural heritage in an era of relentless modernization. As the wheels continue to spin and hands mold clay into art, the question remains: Can tradition endure in the face of an uncertain future?
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