‘Since childhood, I’ve loved molding. There was a river near my house and fields nearby. I’d go there, collect clay, and make countless figures. Molding was my passion. Initially, my family wasn’t too supportive, but would I give up?’ Bidula said. The same enthusiasm that once drove a young girl to gather clay from the paddy fields of Kannadikkal now shone brightly in her eyes.
Kannadikkal, located about 12 kilometers from Kozhikode city, is where Bidula was born. , Kunjikrishnan, who made clay pots in the village, sowed the seeds of pottery in Bidula’s heart. Realizing that this was her true calling, Bidula decided to dedicate herself to making clay pottery and handicrafts, placing it above all else. It was Bidula’s determination to hold onto her passion that has brought her to where she is today.
Beyond clay pots, Bidula has also carved a name for herself in the creation of decorative items using clay. After her marriage, when she moved to Elathur, a region known for its pottery industry, Bidula found a whole new world opening before her. Her husband stood by her as a strong pillar of support through it all.
After completing her B.Com, Bidula pursued a pottery-making course at an institute in Karnataka, which marked the beginning of her commercial pottery journey. She soon set up a production unit at her home. Today, Bidula receives orders from both within Kerala and beyond.
Bidula has a keen interest in researching and sourcing high-quality clay. Her passion has been instrumental in her success over the last 13 years in the terracotta home décor sector.
‘My first model was Kalyani Amma, who worked at our house. She sat for me, and that support meant the world to the artist in me. The figurine I made of her is still at my home,’ Bidula said. While striving to establish her place in the terracotta industry, Bidula came to know about the Responsible Tourism Mission (RT Mission). She mentioned how the RT Mission officials approached her and opened up great opportunities.
Responsible Tourism has offered immense opportunities, bringing national attention to Bidula’s products. Events like the Surajkund International Fair 2023, International Tourism Summit 2023, Hi India 2022, Malabar Craft Fair, Ente Keralam, and the Sargalya International Art and Craft Festival are just a few among the 300 exhibitions facilitated for her by the RT Mission. Bidula has also conducted numerous workshops across Kerala to introduce more people to the world of clay pottery.
Recognizing her unwavering commitment to clay artistry, Bidula was recently honored with the ‘Jwala Mukhi Award ‘ by the OISCA Women’s Chapter. She was also felicitated on the stage of ‘Saman,’ a cultural festival organized by the Kerala Department of Culture, and received an appreciation certificate from the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department of Jammu and Kashmir.
Among Bidula’s handcrafted items, lampshades are currently in high demand. She is now exploring ways to create more diverse home decor products. While online sales bring challenges in terms of packaging and handling courier services, Bidula is determined to tackle these obstacles head-on and continue her journey forward.
Content Highlight: Bidula: The Artist Who Shaped Clay