Name: Jyoti Prakash Behera
Department: Fashion and Lifestyle Accessory Design Department
Category: CRD
Campus : NIFT Kolkata

Understanding a country's art, craft, culture, and traditions plays a vital role in shaping identity and inspiring creative thinking. To explore the renowned clay doll craft of Krishnanagar, the Fashion & Lifestyle Accessory Department of NIFT Kolkata conducted a 10-day field study in West Bengal. Through interactions with skilled artisans, detailed documentation, and firsthand cultural experiences, the research team gained valuable insights into the craftsmanship, heritage, and challenges faced by the artisan community. This study presents a comprehensive overview of the craft and its makers.

About the project

  • Title: Crafting Stories in Clay. The legacy of Krishnanagar Artisans.
  • Student names: Astha Kanaujiya, Isha Bandopadhyay, Karthik Uday, Prachi Manya, Muskaan Priya, Shrishti Patel.
  • Batch: 2023-2027
  • Department: Fashion and Lifestyle Accessory Department.
  • Campus: NIFT Kolkata Faculty
  • Mentor: Aritra Roy Chowdhury

Art, craft, culture, and tradition are essential elements that help individuals connect with their heritage while influencing creativity and design thinking. Recognizing the importance of preserving and understanding traditional crafts, the Fashion & Lifestyle Accessory Department of NIFT Kolkata organized a 10-day research visit to Krishnanagar, West Bengal, a city internationally recognized for its exquisite clay doll craftsmanship. The student research team immersed themselves in the local community, engaging directly with artisans whose skills have been passed down through generations. Through interviews, observations, and extensive documentation, they explored every stage of the clay doll-making process, from sculpting and detailing to finishing and presentation. The study also examined the cultural significance of the craft and its role in supporting the livelihoods of local families.

Beyond the craft itself, the researchers experienced Krishnanagar’s unique social and cultural environment, including its cuisine, local markets, traditions, transportation systems, and tourist attractions. These interactions provided a deeper understanding of the relationship between the craft and the community that sustains it. The findings of this research were compiled and analyzed to highlight both the strengths and challenges of the clay doll industry today. This documentation serves as a valuable resource that celebrates the heritage of Krishnanagar’s clay dolls while bringing attention to the realities faced by the artisans who continue to preserve this remarkable craft tradition.