Molela Clay Work

Molela Village is in the Rajasmand District of Rajasthan. Molela is a small town 45 km north of Udaipur, close to the Banas River. It is the only village that caters to the supply of plaques of Gods and Goddesses, in that tribal area.

Entire plaque is created without the use of the potter's wheel- a total hand done job.

Light weight when compared to other terracotta 3 dimensional items made in other places, the reason being that flat slabs of clay are hand molded to give raised forms and the area underneath remains hollow. 

The very combination of a flat base with raised image on it is again unique to this craft.

The dimension given to images, through the raised work gives a life like impression which is unique.

The crafsman knows that the right temperature has been reached by the height of the flames - In firing process of Molela Clay Work

The potters of Molela have been making votive (presented to God as a sign of thanks) plaques of local Gods and Goddesses like Deonarayan, Dharamraj (is caretaker of justice) keeps an account of the `karma’ of a person. He is an accomplice of Yamraj (the God of the dead), Kala Bhairon (black and ferocious) and Gora Bhairon (white and compassionate), Sheshavatar (incarnation of Vishnu – in form of a snake), Chamunda, Kalika, Awanmata, Durga, Ganesh.

Raw materials - Clay (Mitti), Silver paper, Donkey dung, Colors, Geru, Jela / lacquer.