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A CULTUAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA CURNI
The blacksmiths played a useful part in village industries. They made different types of weapons such as swords, daggers, lances etc. and also supplied the peasants with their agriculcural implements. The work of the blacksmiths was specifically styled as aggikamma”, since by heating and melting the various metals he moulded different types of objects.
Pottery---Pottery had reached an advanced stage because of the importance given to this art. There were regular markets or shops for pots known as kuttiyāvanas, padabhūmit or bhanabhimi.' Five apartments were required for the work of a potter ( kumbhakara, kulala )-i) paniyasala was the place where the potters or the vaniks sold the earthenware pottery; (ii) bhan dasala was the store-house for storing the vessels; (iii) in kammasala the pots were moulded; (iv) in payaņisāla pots were baked and (v) in imdhanasala the fuel like grass or dung required for baking the pots was stored. 6
A regular process was followed in making the earthenware pottery. The clay was kneaded with water and by rotating the wet-clay on the potter's wheel (cakka). 7 Vessels of various types like ghata, katthoraga, thala etc. were made. These were dried and baked on fire. A proper polish or coating ( leva ) was given to the pots. Pots were also dyed in different colours.8 The potters either gave their wares to the Vanils on getting a little profit or sold it to the customers direcıly, 10
1. NC. 1, p. 79. 2. JEITILI JOZE 31 He rifat-NC. 2, p. 9. 3. NC. 2, p. 47. 4. THE È TIETOTNC. 2, p. 52. 5. NO. 2, p 100. 6. NC. 4, pp. 61-62; also Brh. VI. 4, p. 963. 7. NC. I, p. 30. 8. TFFHattia pro__NC. 3, p. 446. 9. NC. 4, pp. 61-62. Compare
tarfa fitria, afnt at FITEFTIR HIETATIET mitsat Tarqut faithfa hifaT_Bịh. V!.
4, p. 963. 10. Ibid.; also NC. 3, p. 139.
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