From May 30 to June 3, 2023, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur organized a pottery workshop at the Ranjit Singh Rozi Shiksha Kendra. The workshop, named "Mati Kala," aimed to upskill potters of Bithoor with new methods of pottery making. According to Rita Singh, who is coordinating activities at the Ranjit Singh Rozi Shiksha Kendra (RSK), “This centre is connected to more than 100 potters of Bithoor and its nearby villages. The objective of this 5-day workshop was to work with 10 selected potters and give them skills and knowledge. Gradually, products will improve in quality and will have better market appeal.”

Hari Ram, a Master Artisan from Gonda and a State Awardee, gave hands-on training to the potters. In a conversation, he shared, "We want to save this beautiful art form which has been practiced for ages. It is greatly challenged now as they are being replaced by plastics and machine-made products.” He feels that new product designs to match the market trend will save the craft.

During the training, potters not only learned new methods of pottery-making but also visited the casting laboratory of IIT Kanpur, pottery laboratory of Kanpur University and Lata Creation (a pottery equipment making factory). At the end, participants displayed their products and were awarded with certificates.

The participants were young potters who came from Pachour, Mandhana, Naramau, Baikunthpur, Laxmipurwa and Tatya Tope Nagar. Prof Kallol Mondal from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering gave tips on casting and innovations in surface finish. Prof Satyaki Roy from the Department of Design talked about achieving high quality finish and exploring niche markets. Mr SL Yadav, General Manager District Industries Centre, Kanpur Nagar appreciated the products made and told about various schemes that potters could avail to expand their business. Prof. Sandeep Sangal (Materials and Metallurgical Engineering), Prof. Sudhanshu Shekhar Singh (Dept of Materials Science and Engineering), Prof Shatrupa Roy (HSS Dept) were also present.

The participants are eager to embrace the opportunity for growth, and they expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to learn and expand their artistic horizons. They recognized the immense potential for personal and professional development that the workshop offered.

The "Mati Kala" pottery workshop at IIT Kanpur stands as a testament to the commitment and passion of both the organizers and participants. Through this

initiative, the Ranjit Singh Rozi Shiksha Kendra aims to bridge the gap between ancient artistry and modern demands, paving the way for a prosperous future where the rich cultural heritage of pottery continues to flourish.