and Mohenjodaro sites of Indus Valley Civilization. At his seventies today, this senior and most respected master artisan in Asharikandi is contended enough not only because of fulfillment of his dream, but also successfully passing the craft to the next generation of this unique craft village. All the village youths are engaged with the craft as full-time job.
Asharikandi is unique, as it is the single largest cluster in India in which both the most ancient form of human art - terracotta and pottery have been practiced traditionally for ages. The village indeed depicts an enviable saga of glory and recognition, thanks to hard-work and dedication of senior artisans like Mr. Paul, despite their economic hard-ship. In fact, terracotta tradition of Asharikandi, which was almost dying due to lack of patronage, was revived at the hands of Sarala Bala Devi, mother of Dhirendra Nath Paul, who used to make the unique Hatima Putul, for village children to play along with other utensils. Interestingly, Hatima Putul, which literally means “the elephant mother with her child”, is a toy depicting a female form, having elephant ears taking her baby on her lap. Hatima Putul signifies the unique Asharikandi tradition of terracotta. Paul claims that this particular Hatima Putul, which the artisans of Asharikandi normally use to make for children to play, was also found in the excavation sites of Indus Valley Civilization.

Ratna Bharali Talukdar