Imprint in Clay
The story
Sardar Gurcharan Singh was the father of studio pottery in India. "Daddyji" as most called him lovingly was very close to my father. I often tagged along to visit his home studio where pottery wheels were lined up under the big neem trees in his old brick house.
My father wanted me to make a film on Daddyji, who was then 95. He was afraid that Daddyji's wonderful story would be left untold. He not only introduced studio pottery in India but due to his longevity, mentored many potters. So despite not knowing anything about films, I made the documentary, Imprint in Clay with a classmate of mine, which was mostly funded by my father.
Over the years, the Delhi Blue Pottery founded by Daddyji shows the film on his birthday.
The VHS tape got converted to a digital format a few years ago and I got a copy only in 2022. I thought of sharing it, not for its cinematic value but because it is important for people to know Daddyji’s contribution to pottery and who he was as a person. His philosophy towards art and life with his childlike lightness needed to be shared. I feel truly fortunate to have known him and that I was able to tell his story.
Produced by- Nandita Das and Sanjay Maharishi
BTS
