Earthenware A relationship with clay

Tucked away behind a private drive in Kesang Tua, near my hometown of Melaka, Malaysia, is a humble pottery barn and kiln where an industrious couple and their entire extended family transform clay into earthenware and household pottery.

Nature provides in so many ways even when some resources are vanishing bit-by-bit. Earth gives, in the most simplest way - CLAY

A prayer lamp Potter

Tirukkural (Tamil: திருக்குறள், literally Sacred Verses), by Thiruvalluvar is celebrated as a great Tamil Poet from the 3rd Century

குறள் 611: அருமை உடைத்தென்று அசாவாமை வேண்டும்பெ ருமை முயற்சி தரும்.

Transliteration (Tamil to English): arumai udaiththendru asaavaamai vaeNdum perumai muyaRchi tharum

Couplet Explanation: Yield not to the feebleness which says, "this is too difficult to be done"; labour will give the greatness (of mind) which is necessary (to do it).

Raw clay on the potter's wheel

“It can take years to mold a dream. It takes only a fraction of a second for it to be shattered.” - Mary E. Pearson

The lamp taking its first shape

“Don't try to fit into another person's mold, be bold and beautiful in your own shape and form.” - Eveth Colley

The lamp is small enough to hold at least two spoonful of ‘ghee’ (clarified butter) or vegetable oil

Making the ‘cut-off’ to separate the lamp

I thought clay must feel happy in the good potter's hand. - Janet Fitch

Each prayer lamp will be used in a home or placed on a Temple altar for giving thanks, a supplication prayer or just as a praise offering.

Clay lamps fresh off production

Low temperature firing to dry lamps outside

Mother Earth gives earthenware as a tool of appreciation

Earthenware gifts.

I lit a prayer lamp at home, with one that came back with me from 9056 miles away.

Balasaravanan and Sarasvaty - the couple who bring forth light. They create numerous types of household pottery and artifacts from clay.