Habitat - setting the ceramic
scene afire
 Hamsavardhan
and his wife Cynthia are the potter-duo
from the city who run 'Habitat' - a ceramics
shop. Hamsavardhan, an architect by profession
was working with Edgar Demello Architects
until he discovered pottery. His wife Cynthia,
a graduate from Bishop Cottons College chose
art as her career. In 1996, a six-month terra-cotta
course at 'Kalanjali' drew both of
them into this field completely. They live
in a farmhouse in Harohalli, 35 kms from Bangalore.
They come to the city during weekends, their
life is with nature and clay.
 Hamsa
began as a potter by joining 'Akriti'
run by Priya Powar and Amrita Dhawan.
He practically begged them to let him work
at 'Akriti', where he could use their space
to work with clay.
"They were very nice to us, unlike others,
they were not secretive about the art. Actually
there are no secrets in art, it's all there
in the books," says Cynthia. They
had a lot of trouble until they built a kiln
of their own. Prior to this they used to create
the items at their farm and carry them elsewhere
to fire."Initially it was an experiment
for us but we knew it was our profession,"
adds Cynthia.
Hamsa makes ceramic items like jewellery,
pots and curios using the potter's wheel.
Cynthia is fascinated by nature, makes ceramic
animals, birds and insects. All her creations
are handmade. Their first teacher, Bari
Ram Kumhar is a master craftsmen and their
inspiration.
Their studio 'Habitat' came as a blessing
to the couple. They had borrowed Habitat to
hold a millennium collection show in December
'99 and the owner Mr. Minhaz Vazir Ali
told  them
that they could try it as a regular outlet.
It appears that the store was waiting for
the two to display their gallery of creation.
"It was a dream for both of us to have
our own studio, not everyone is so lucky,"
say the couple. Their creations range from
Rs. 40/- to Rs.1000/-.
Their creations have a style and life of their
own. Specially, Cynthia's collection of sea
creatures. "We like to have freedom to
do our own creations, we don't make items
on order," says Cynthia. For those who
wish to follow this line of art, Hamsa conducts
weekend classes in ceramics. He teaches various
methods of working with clay, Kiln types,
firing and even has a special session on setting
up a studio. Hamsa shares his vast knowledge
and expertise with aspiring potters.
Address: Habitat - The Ceramics Shop,
# 48, Church Street,
Opp.Highgates Hotel, Bangalore - 560 001.
Phone: 2671 6156
Magic of Designing
 Raw
terra-cotta items transform into breathtaking
pieces of art in her magic hands. She is Ms
Krishna Govindan, a designer artist with a
difference. She adds her aesthetic sense to
her art and transforms terra-cotta jars and
other handicrafts into colourful art pieces
like flower vases, tea poys and table lamps.
They are marvellous enough to adorn your showcases!
Basically a textile designer, Ms Krishna Govindan
started her art in a small way three years
ago and today she is teaching her art to enthusiastic
youngsters and working as a freelance artist.
Students right from the age of 10 to adults
are learning the art from her. She has taught
her art to 200 students in the last three
years.
She adopts hand painting, texture and Plaster
of Paris while designing on metal or clay
artifacts. She has got a number of individual
orders for her artifacts and artistic skills.
"But I am looking for bulk orders," she told
Bangalorebest.Com. She is planning
to exhibit all her designer artifacts in the
near future.
 She
is proficient in colouring and shading on
artifacts made of clay, metal, fibreglass,
ceramic and cloth. With her final touches
to the terra-cotta items, they transform into
different art pieces. For example, she has
painted "seashell and leather look alike"art
designs on terra-cotta jars, pots, lampshades,
telephone stands and other articles. She uses
natural materials like clay, flowers, wood,
jute, sticks, etc., to paint instead of conventional
paints. She also uses simple tools like knives,
samosa cutters and pens in lieu of brushes
in her art. Krishna Govindan has her own style
in designing.
Address:
#343, 13th Cross, 3rd Block,
BEL Layout, Vidyaranyapura,
Bangalore-560 097.
Email: krishnajayagovindan@hotmail.com
Phone: 2838 2577
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