BLACK POTTERY Of NIZAMABAD: A magnificent artistry by potters

India has rich and diverse cultural heritage in the traditional crafts and its history is an old saga. One of the craft is the Black pottery of Nizamabad.        This craft is a wonderful amalgamation of concept, design and execution by the potters of Nizamabad, a small township in Azamgarh District of Uttar Pradesh, located on the banks of river Tamsa.

It is a unique type of clay pottery well known for its black colored lustrous body with silver pattern work embossed on it. The alluring beauty of the pottery lies in love that skilled craftsman put into it. The small community of Kumhars, known as traditional potters adds magic to the jet black body by engraving beautiful designs that may be floral, geometric and abstract.

All age groups of the 200 families of the community such as women, children, men, elderly takes part in their art with great interest and greater number of their works are shipped.

This artistry started from Kutch, Gujarat and afterwards moved to Nizamabad when forefathers of these potters followed Abdul Farah Nizambadi, King of Alamgarh during the Aurengzeb rule in the mughal era. This craft received its Geographical Indication (GI Tag) last year in December 2015 by the Government of India.

Bidriware jar from Hyderabad

The Bidriware, metal handicraft tradition of Hyderabad has its great influence on Black pottery for its silver embedded pattern work.

The creation of various artifacts of Black pottery has a long discrete process in which the various kinds of pottery are fired at 1150 degree Celsius. The clay used in making of pots has a fine texture and is locally available. Hence, it is contoured well to form diverse objects.

Different artifacts created by this craft work are: 

Jars, pots, dishes, handi( cooking utensils), bowls, surahis, containers, beakers, jugs, vases, incense holders and plates, lamps, tea- pots, hookas, pipes, vessels, flower vase, crockery, industrial ceremics. Surahi, long necked pot is quite famous.