POTTERY: A UNIQUE TRADITIONAL CRAFT IN INNER SIRAJ VALLEY OF NORTHWESTERN HIMALAYAN DISTRICT OF KULLU, HIMACHAL PRADESH

Pottery is a century old craft used by human and is one of the most tangible and iconic elements of Indian art. This craft system shows the lifestyle of native communities, their belief, faith, customs and tradition through their craft. This paper documents the traditional pottery art of the Sirajicommunity living in the inner Siraj Valley of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh. The uniqueness of the art is wheels are not used for making different pots as in other parts of the country. Paper also documents the procedures involved in making the pots and its current status. Study revealed that this traditional craft system will not survive if some urgent measures are not be taken in near future.