For Manu, the journey into pottery began as a surprising twist in her life. A sports enthusiast and marathon runner, she never saw herself as the creative type. “People always complimented me on my writing, so I started dabbling in short stories,” she recalls. But her true calling came unexpectedly. “I ventured into pottery, and the moment I sat at the wheel, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. I had found my calm.”
Centring the clay came naturally to her, and with every spin of the wheel, she felt her anxieties melt away. “The tactile feel of the clay, the focus it required to centre a piece—it brought me a deep sense of calm,” she says, smiling. “I became hooked for life.” Her ceramics are a reflection of her journey, featuring unique textures, vibrant colors, and organic forms that echo her newfound serenity. “Clay is therapeutic for the body, mind, and soul, and I’m living proof of that.”
Fellow artist Mudita Bhandari shares Manu’s sentiments. A ceramic artist by profession, Mudita finds pottery to be her way of staying in sync with life. “Any creative or organic process—whether gardening, dancing, or cooking—can be incredibly healing. But working with clay feels like a direct communication with your subconscious,” she says.
Mudita speaks passionately about the elemental connection clay has with nature. “Clay matures with time. It absorbs moisture in the rainy season, dries slowly, and in summer, it speeds up its drying process. Just like life, you can’t force it; shortcuts never work.” She emphasizes that clay has a character of its own, responding beautifully when you work with it, rather than trying to control it.
For Mudita, pottery is a life lesson in disguise. “It’s an organic process that records every moment you spend with it. The impression of your hands, your subconscious feelings—it’s all imprinted in the clay. Pottery helps me retreat inward, away from the chaos of the world,” she reflects.
Both Manu and Mudita have discovered that pottery is more than an art form; it’s a therapeutic journey that mirrors the rhythm of life itself. As they mold and shape the clay, they find calmness, healing, and a deeper connection with their inner selves.
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