Terracotta of the IVC and the present day- a comparison.

Terracotta of the IVC and the present day- a comparison.

Question:- The tradition of using terracotta in a variety of products is seen even today. This goes back to the Indus valley Civilization. Mention the similarities and differences of the terracotta found today and the ones found then.

Terracotta tradition in India presently dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization. Though the terracotta industry has advanced, it yet shares many similarities with the ancient tradition.

Similarities:

- Religious significance of terracotta has continued from the Indus Valley Civilization and deities can be found in almost all Hindu households.

- Terracotta was and is used for cooking purpose, ornamentation, artifacts etc. the methods of firing too are similar today marking their origin to the ancient potters.

Differences:

- Terracotta today does not come with importance attached to the life of the end product. This is quite against what it was during the Indus culture.

- Human representations during the Indus times was crude compared to the present day representations.

- During the earlier times, the shape was given and was left in the sun to harden after which it was baked in primitive ovens and ultimately in kilns.

- Terracotta works today are far more refined showing animated deities.

- Awareness of harmful effects due to toxins in terracotta is known today and was not known during IVC.

- Due to fewer alternatives available in the earlier period, terracotta played a very significant role in the lives of ancient people. Contradictorily while terracotta is still used, it is not as common as before.

Terracotta artifacts have been found in abundance from the Indus Valley sites and the tradition and thus continued in some ways that are improvised and some that have been continued.