Throughout history, clay has served as a powerful metaphor in various religious and spiritual teachings, symbolizing the transient nature of life, the process of creation, and the cycle of constant change. This metaphor is deeply rooted in the understanding that life, like clay, is malleable, fragile, and ever-changing, subject to the hands that mould it and the forces that shape it. In Lamentations 4:2, the Bible compares the ‘precious sons of Zion’ to ‘earthen jars, the work of a potter’s hands.’ This imagery reflects the vulnerability and impermanence of human life, which, despite its preciousness, is as fragile as clay. Just as a potter shapes clay into vessels, life is shaped by circumstances, experiences, and divine forces. The metaphor makes us understand the notion that human existence is both precious and transient, constantly subject to change and eventual return to the earth.
The life and work of Parashuram Rajaram Kumbhar of Saligao, embody this profound understanding of clay. Kumbhar’s journey began in a potter’s workshop in Bicholim, where he worked alongside his father. From a young age, he developed a deep connection with the material, recognising its potential to teach and transform. For the past 24 years, Kumbhar has honed his craft under the guidance of artist Subodh Kerkar, expanding his expertise beyond clay to include materials like fibreglass.
Kumbhar’s dedication to learning and evolving mirrors the very qualities of clay—adaptability, resilience, and transformation. His desire to continuously explore new materials and techniques reflects the broader journey of growth and change. Just as clay is shaped by the potter’s hands, Kumbhar’s life and artistry are shaped by his experiences and the opportunities presented by the universe.
Parashuram is an artist who constantly seeks new ways to express his creative mind, often turning first to clay as his medium of choice. This deep connection to clay reflects his belief in its versatility and symbolic power, but his creativity is not confined to this single material. Under the mentorship of the renowned artist Subodh Kerkar, Kumbhar has flourished, expanding his artistic horizons by experimenting with various other materials. Kerkar encourages a culture of inquisitiveness, frequently inviting different artists working with diverse mediums to engage and interact, further fuelling Kumbhar’s curiosity and drive to innovate.
Recently, Kumbhar has begun exploring the intricacies of ceramic materials, a sign of his lifelong commitment to learning. His approach to art is dynamic, constantly evolving as he adds new techniques and insights into his everyday work and life. This philosophy of continuous learning is something he passes on to his children. He often tells them that education should not be pursued solely for the sake of securing a job; instead, it should be about expanding one’s imagination and knowledge. The success of this mindset is evident in his daughter, who recently achieved an impressive 88.3% in her matriculation exams, filling Kumbhar with pride beyond measure.
Kumbhar’s journey as an artist has seen him progress from creating small terracotta pieces to undertaking large-scale installations. This ascension reflects his ongoing quest to find meaning in everyday objects and understand the true value of art. His work increasingly addresses complex themes, showing how his expanding knowledge is not just technical but also deeply connected to the world around him.
In India, the potter community is traditionally known as Kumhar or Kumbhar, a name rooted in the ancient term ‘Kumharkar,’ which literally translates to ‘maker of kumbha,’ or earthen pot. The significance of the kumbha is embedded in Hindu mythology, tracing its origins to the cosmic event of Samudra Manthan, or the Churning of the Ocean. This mythological episode, described in the Bhagavatha Purana, depicts a grand tug-of-war between the devas (gods) and asuras (demons) as they vied for possession of the amrita, the nectar of immortality. It is during this cosmic churning that the kumbha is believed to have emerged from the ocean, symbolizing not just a vessel, but a creation with roots in the very fabric of the universe.
Intriguingly, the Kumhars, recognising the sacred origins of their craft, often identify themselves as Prajapati, a name that echoes the title of the god Prajapati, who is alternatively known as Brahma, the creator of the universe in Hinduism. This identification with Prajapati is more than a mere titular reference; it is a connection to the ancient belief that they, as potters, are engaged in a creative process that mirrors the divine act of creation itself. The Kumhar community’s reverence for their craft is thus interwoven with a narrative that elevates their work beyond the mundane, positioning them as custodians of a tradition that is as old as the cosmos, and as sacred as the myths that shape the cultural and religious ideas of India.
Inspired by the work of Kerala’s esteemed sculptor K S Radhakrishnan, Parashuram Kumbhar continues to push the boundaries of his craft. Yet, no matter how diverse his artistic explorations become, clay remains his favourite medium—a tangible embodiment of the metaphor of creation and transformation. Through his art, he brings to life the idea that art, like clay, is constantly shaped and reshaped by the hands of experience and imagination.