Pottery Training Centre

We rarely put our thought into doing pottery. I had no idea how pottery can be a big part of one's life and how therapeutic it can be.

1. How long have you been associated with pottery?

• I would say pottery got associated with me. I grew up seeing my parents do pottery, and clay is in my gene. It has already been fifteen years since I started doing pottery myself. 

2. Given that, your parents were already into making pottery. Did you learn from them or take any other training classes?

• I had seen my parents do pottery, but the actual learning was from my brother. I never took any classes or training. It is more about skill rather than training. 

3. What was the inspiration for you to start the Pottery training centre?

• Initially, I didn't plan this. However, when many visitors came around and saw us making one, they would want to do it too. One day, it just came up that we should bring some pottery wheels so that others can enjoy them too. There are so many wood carving, thanka painting, and stone carving classes, and we thought about starting the pottery class. That is how it all started.

4. Why do many people come here for pottery?

• The main reason is to have fun and relax for a few minutes. Some of them are here to learn pottery so they can teach their students in school. I think pottery helps them calm down and have a chill mind.

5. When people are here and make their little pottery items, do they get to take them home?

• Yes! It takes around one hour or more to set in the sun. Meanwhile, they can roam around Bhaktapur, eat, have fun, and when it is time for home, they stop by to take the pottery items they had made earlier. 
  

6. Where do you bring all the clays? Are they locally available?

• A particular clay called "Ceramic" comes from Dang. However, other clays are available locally as well. Before town planning, we could only get those if new houses were getting built. Now we have to buy them. 

7. Which clay do you think is the best for pottery?

• We learned from local clays. For the finishing only, ceramics looks clean and good. Ceramics are more refined, and there are no lumps of small stones. However, any other clays work for the making process. 

8. Do you think that social media has helped you grow and reach out to many people?

• Customer flow has gone a little higher. Nevertheless, there is not much difference. So, I would request everyone to visit here and experience making pottery. The best thing about social media is that we are more aware and ready about customers visiting here for the training. It gets more manageable.

9. What is pottery for you?

• Pottery is an art of living. I think pottery is a way to keep myself grounded. Life sometimes can be hectic, and people are hassling around. When you sit in front of a pottery wheel with clay in your hand, you will connect with the earth. Every element is involved in pottery. Emotions come into play, you become a part of the earth, and you feel alive. 

10.  What is your plan further?

• I plan to make a pottery village somewhere. I see myself doing more pottery workshops in different places and even in cafes. Imagine a beautiful café and a corner for pottery where people can come around, play with clays and have fun. It will be more like a healing session, a therapeutic session.