The “POTTERY” is one of the most ancient craft known in the history of any country. Various media & processes worked out but the commercial CERAMIC products had been worked with the help of CHINA CLAY, FELDSPAR & QUARTZ. The other countries had been working with China clay on the ware known as WHITEWARE in different forms, viz. CHINA PORCELAIN, SEMI-PORCELAIN, STONEWARE, BONE CHINA, etc. But in INDIA, the first white ware unit was tried around middle of 19TH century by ENGLISH People near to Kolkata. People are identified this unit at Belghoria, near Kolkata----Today’s name is Allied Ceramics Pvt. Ltd. However around 1930, the Maharaja of Cossimbazar & Maharaja of Gwalior had established a commercial concern in Kolkata & Gwalior and till date there has been a sizable increase in the number of crockery manufacturing units. Today approximately 8000-10000 ton per month capacity of crockery is installed in the country from large to small to micro sector. This proves the pottery industry of the country is only 78-80 years old only. A country like China, the white ware ceramic manufacturer is known to the existence of PRE-HISTORICAL PERIOD.
Although India has a long tradition of pottery ware: water is kept in Matkas. Tea serves in Khularas, Piyalis (cups) and Martban (pickle jar), Gambla (flower pot) all are made by the potters’ wheel from MUD dried in the sun. There has never been a need for crockery as food was eaten out of leaves or of Thalis.
Subarna Ashram is a Partnership farm between Ceramist Mr. Amal K. Guha & Artist Indrani Guha (Husband & Wife).
After having vast experience in leading pottery industries of the country such as Palam Potteries, New Delhi, Jaipur Glass & Potteries (P) Ltd., Jaipur, OSHO Ceramics Ltd., Hissar and Bharat Potteries Ltd., Jaipur for the last 20 years, in the year 1997, Mr. Guha had purchased a piece of land at village Ram Nagar, Baruipur, 24 Parganas (S), West Bengal for this venture. And it took practically 2 years for him to obtain the necessary permission to start the project from the concerned authorities. Project started by the end of 2000.
Initially Mr.Guha was developed & manufactured white crockery, light, thin & whiter like BONE CHINA without bone ash, titled “BENGAL CHINA”. Due to fast increasing of diesel cost of the product’s, unit cannot compete against other white ware manufacturers who’s fuel is natural gas & production volume is much much higher than Subarna Ashram & their equipments are imported.
In spite of all these constraints, Mr. Guha took up a special project on developing a new product “TERRA-PORCELAIN” some where in 2005-2006. With the background of vast experience of ceramic science, he has established a small laboratory, coordinated with a Design Development Section. He worked consistently for years together & ultimately succeeded in the complete range of TABLEWARE along with Designer Tiles, Grills & Furniture Knobs. The special Feature of this unit has been a constant