MANAGING DWINDLING GLAZE OF JAIPUR BLUE POTTERY: A CASE OF RAJASTHAN, INDIA

The art of making blue pottery was first developed and managed by Mongol artisans who combined Chinese glazing technology with Persian decorative arts. The blue pottery industry has been working in Jaipur since 17th century, and periodically getting fresh doses of life from the Royal family of Jaipur. In foreign countries there has been continuous demand of blue potteries but in the absence of good management and governance it is not met efficiently and effectively. Majority of artisans belong to underprivileged castes and are working in this un-organized industry for about two decades. Lack of cooperation and coordination among artisans has lead to exploitation in terms of wages and welfare practices. The technology and machines involved in making the final product is very primitive, time consuming and not updated through systematic research and development. The raw materials required for manufacturing blue pottery items are found in abundance in neighboring areas of Jaipur. Forty to sixty percent of product is wasted in the manufacturing process, which is a lot to account for. It requires time and skill of four to five days of an artisan to prepare a vase of 24 inches with intricately made designs using beautiful color combinations. Hence, the present paper focuses on existing status of this art in the handicraft industry and the management measures that could be taken to keep this art alive for future generations.