Pots On The Rocks (POTR) began as a simple mission to revive and modernize Indian pottery while preserving its traditional beauty. Nestled in the foothills of Shoolagiri, our story is one of resilience, change, and a deep-rooted passion for craft. What started as an agricultural venture soon evolved into something far greater—creating timeless terracotta pieces, empowering local artisans, and breathing new life into ancient pottery traditions
The year was 2021, and we at 'On The Rocks Farm' had just lost our appetite for agriculture! Before the pandemic, we were cultivating colored bell peppers, raising a flock of chickens, and even had nearly 1 ton of fish in our tank—the going was good. But by the end of wave 1, we lost our entire bell pepper business, it being an export crop, and the mysterious death of our fish stock forced us to make drastic decisions. By the second wave of the pandemic, we had lost half of our orchard and all our chickens. The only thing left was our free-range chicken coop and our pet bonsais. At this crossroads, we decided to pivot. Inspired by our thriving bonsais, we chose to focus on bonsai pots—however, the high cost of these pots in the city led us to explore a local solution. We realized that there were pottery villages around the Krishnagiri district, but their craft was outdated. Their pots were limited to only one or two designs, and no one had a kiln—only pit-firing was used. And most households, who worked from dawn to dusk, earned a meager income. We were deeply moved by this and decided to step in."
As we ventured into Krishnagiri’s pottery villages, we found a craft that was struggling to stay alive. Despite being one of the richest pottery regions in India just 100 years ago, modern techniques, lack of creativity, and inadequate technical support had left the craft stagnant. We saw an opportunity to help revitalize the pottery tradition, not just by creating beautiful pieces, but by offering support to the artisans and infusing the craft with innovation. We understood the potential of what we could do here—not just for us, but for the entire community. The idea of revitalizing this heritage through modern practices and design became our new goal.
Our turning point came when we met Mrs. Jijaa Harisingh, a close well-wisher, philanthropist, artist and EX Super Cop, who introduced us to Dr. Gyanesh Mishra, the then Director of Design at the Department of Handlooms and Handicrafts, Government of India. Dr. Mishra, a man of many talents, had spent over 35 years developing the handloom and handicraft sector across India. We were expecting to meet him in a polished office, but instead, we were greeted by him in an apron, surrounded by his students in a studio full of art and creativity. After hearing our story, Dr. Mishra, whose knowledge spans ceramics, engineering, and structural dynamics, agreed to join us. He decided to oversee the construction of our kiln and guide us through the development of our pottery studio. At this crossroads, we decided to pivot. Inspired by our thriving bonsais, we chose to focus on bonsai pots—however, the high cost of these pots in the city led us to explore a local solution. We realized that there were pottery villages around the Krishnagiri district, but their craft was outdated. Their pots were limited to only one or two designs, and no one had a kiln—only pit-firing was used. And most households, who worked from dawn to dusk, earned a meager income. We were deeply moved by this and decided to step in."
In August 2021, we took a big step. We transformed our free-range chicken coop into a pottery studio—a space where creativity would flourish. This was a major shift, and as we looked back, we realized that the farm had been a metaphor for our journey—what was once a place of loss had now become a space for creation. With the help of Dr. Mishra, we built a state-of-the-art kiln, blending traditional pottery techniques with modern-day requirements. The transformation was complete, and this marked the official founding of ‘Pots On The Rocks’ (POTR)—a studio where innovation, art, and tradition meet.
At POTR, our mission goes beyond creating pottery; we are dedicated to the empowerment of the local communities that have kept this craft alive. Our focus is on training, developing, and uplifting local artisans, particularly women, through pottery programs and the creation of terracotta jewelry. By providing these artisans with the skills they need to thrive, we hope to turn the tide for pottery in the region. We believe in blending tradition with modern practices, making the craft not only a source of art but also a sustainable livelihood for the people involved.
As we continue to grow, we envision expanding our reach far beyond the local community. Our goal is to introduce ‘Fuss Pot,’ a line of pots that integrates science into traditional art, creating pieces that are not only functional but environmentally friendly and sustainable. We are also developing additional pottery courses, including certified and advanced training for potters, along with research and development initiatives that will breathe new life into the craft. Our vision is to make Indian pottery a global presence, allowing the world to experience the beauty and functionality of this art form.
© Pots on The Rocks 2025
