MAATI

In India worship is done in different ways. Every god has its own significance for a
particular culture, community or religion dependent on belief system. There is a medium
used to connect to their god through stories, painting, and statues to put their desires
wishes and problems. In Hindu religion gods or goddesses have particular characteristics
and capability for their existence and people worship them according to their requirement
example Hanuman to get rid of fear, Lakshmi for wealth, Saraswati for education. As gods
and goddesses have some symbol attached in terms of animals, materials, mantra etc. For
example snake of Shiva, Rat of Ganesh. Therefore it is the medium of putting belief, hopes,
wishes and desires. There is particular community or artist who constructs those statues,
paintings according to the requirements. Clay is essential to Indian culture past and present.
It has been the perfect vehicle for Indian creativity throughout the ages. A variety of
beautiful products are made which are used for both household and decorative purposes.
The work is mostly done by male artisans. There are innumerable forms of shapes and
styles made of clay, both fired and unfired. Offering of terracotta animals to forest and hill
shrines has been integral to the tribal tradition in parts of Gujarat. Terracotta horses yet
another expression in clay is a common sight around Pavagad in the Panchmahal region of
eastern Gujarat.
Our ethnographic research is about clay animals like horses made by potters in Chota
Udaipur and what it have significance to them or other communities living in that area.
Chota Udaipur is situated 100 km from Baroda. A section of Hindu Kumhars or potters call
themselves Prajapati, claiming descent from the Prajapati (the sons of the Hindu deity
Brahma). The Kumhars derive their name from the Sanskrit word Kumbhakar meaning
earthen pot maker. Potters living on the road side. Living area is more open with workshop
build with in. House is well maintained with all the facilities available. Lot of clay products
like earthen pots, gullaks, animals, plates, surahi, pots. Horses statues are also arranged in
regular pattern with other animals also like ox and tiger. Clay is the basic raw material used
for pottery. Potters wheel is main tool used to make the basic shapes of the pot. There is
traditional wheel used to make cylindrical structure by rotating them but also there is
electrical rotating wheel present there a true representation of advancement of technology
and manufacturing easily and more quantity. Kiln present to heat clay products after
constructing them according to required shape that make them stronger. As we were more
interested in process how horses made, potters show how all it made.
PROCESS
The terracotta horses are made of simple techniques. Hollow cylinders which are made for
tiles turn into legs, the bigger pots turn into torsos and a small pot turns into the mouth.
Red or black clay is used in making horse, which is made a day before by mixing it equally.
Generally it is made in morning time so that it can be dried in afternoon time. Men do
constructing and making shapes of horses with their hands while women of the family do
colouring and decorating task. Potter take small clay and putting on rotating wheel using
water in shaping it. Horse is made in six cylindrical shapes. First is head, than middle larger
cylindrical part following with four legs, than all parts are dried under a cloth and put under
sunlight. As direct sunlight breaks and cracks will be formed potters put cloth over it. All
six cylindrical parts body parts are assembled to construct final shape of horse with clay
and made them dry again. Finally on third day whole body is put inside a hot kiln to make
it stronger. Now the process of colouring and decorating with colours done by female
members. There are other animals also made other than horse like elephant, Ox, Tiger.
During this time potters told us different stories and significance about horse or GHODA
what they call it. There is no religious belief attached to potters, they make it for commercial
purpose. Generally made for the Rathwa community living in Chota Udaipur .Potter make
those terracotta animals for them. Large sale took place during Holi, Diwali and harvest
season chaitor and vaishakh months. Size of Ghoda of different sizes made and sold according
to the requirement.
RATHWAS
Rathwas are known for their distinct culture and belief system. For Rathwas, a section of
Bhil, the central character of their sacred lore is the God Pithora Baba, whose mount is a
horse. Besides terracotta offering Pithora Baba and Pithori are also painted with other gods
and goddesses (especially the marriage procession of Pithora Baba and Pithori) mounted on
horses. Man Singh a well-known painter of Pithora painting, living in Malejha village of
district Chota Udaipur. His house having Pithoro paintings that include different animals
like horse, elephant, and tiger. But horses are more in number and important as told by
him. It protects their Rathwa community from evil and problems. Terracotta Ghoda is called
as Ghodadev which they put in farms by tying a thread of belief that it will protect them
from problems and full fill their wishes. This ritual is suggested by Badwo (priest). Ghoda
become a communicator between devotee and god or goddesses. After the rituals are
completed sculpture is left to crumble beneath the tree.
THE RELATION BETWEEN POTTERS AND RATHWAS
Potters plays major role in life of Rathwas or dependent on each other. As Rathwa worship
Ghoda dev. Buying of smaller or larger size Ghoda shows how much big a belief or wishes
is, that results in improving economy of potters. There is migration of belief, faith of
Rathwas in to it. Here the task of potter is only to make sculpture for Rathwa but feelings
goes in to after once it goes out of potters house. It brings out a relationship between both
(Rathwa and Potters) Ghoda as medium.

OUR UNDERSTANDING
Before visiting the place, there was no meaning attached to the Ghoda. It was a mere
artefact, which was created by the potters for sale. It was made for a commercial purpose
only.
But, the same Ghoda held a different meaning in the Rathwa community. The clay horse is
considered as baba dev or god. The Ghoda dev is considered as a protector and is placed in
their farms to ward off evil.
A lot can be understood about the community through their rituals and beliefs. The Ghoda
is an integral part of the traditions and customs of the Rathwas. What the Rathwas as a
community are trying to tell about themselves can be understood by their belief towards
Ghoda dev.
The Ghoda acts as a link between the two communities of Rathwas and the potters. For one
community, the clay horse acts as divine object, which is a part of their traditions while for
the other, the same artefact acts as a mere commercial object.
The role and meaning attached to a same object are different for both the communities.
What both the communities are trying to project about themselves through the Ghoda is
different. By understanding the meaning attached to the Ghoda by both the communities,
we have tried to get a better understanding about them.