The Hala Potter

During my recent visit to Hala in Sindh, we stole a few moments of that sunny afternoon to spend time with a traditional potter. Hala’s pottery is famous for its exquisite designs and motifs (see the image above by ZAK). It is a major art form that has survived centuries and is rooted in the cultural ethos of the 5000 years old Indus Valley civilization.

I took some photographs there to capture that effortless creativity and inherited skills. This was the entrance of the potters’ workshop. Half finished and some finished works glowed in that afternoon.

And the potter was preparing the mix

Sometimes skills and talent are indistinguishable

And then he put the three un-glazed pieces to prepare them for the oven.

Even the public buildings in Hala use the ceramic tiles. What a charming little town it is.

I will go back to Hala as I had no time to look around. Found this stunning image here that shows interior of a mosque in Hala.