Name: The Craft Based Design Project 2025 by the Fashion & Lifestyle Accessories Department, NIFT Chennai, built upon the Craft Research Documentation of the GI-tagged Villianur Terracotta Craft Cluster, Puducherry. Aimed at empowering artisans through design intervention and product innovation, the project developed contemporary outdoor décor and lighting products in collaboration with master artisans V. K. Munusamy and Karunanithi. Inspired by terracotta’s natural cooling properties and sustainability, the collection demonstrates how traditional craftsmanship can be adapted to contemporary markets while preserving cultural heritage and supporting artisan livelihoods.
Department: Fashion and Lifestyle Accessory Design Department
Category: CBDP
Campus : NIFT Chennai

About the project

Villianur Terracotta Craft by Villianur Terracotta Craft Cluster, Puducherry CBDP 2025 | NIFT Chennai | F&LA | Semester 7 | Batch 2022–26 The Craft Based Design Project at the GI-tagged Villianur Terracotta Craft Cluster, Puducherry, provided students with hands-on exposure to terracotta as a traditional craft and production system. Students learned clay preparation, wheel throwing, shaping, drying, firing, finishing, and packaging, while understanding material behaviour and production realities. The project aimed to empower artisans through design intervention, market research, and product innovation while preserving traditional terracotta craftsmanship.

The project was undertaken through six student groups: Group 1 (Outdoor Décor) – Badmaphusan A, Mazin Sajid P P, Nitzana Ann Perinchery, Sai Pragathi G, Shravani Waghaskar, Sruthi M; Group 2 (Terracotta Lighting) – Kaavya Saravanan, Sanskruti Karole, Sara Gupta, Sachin Jangra, Soumya Mishra; Group 3 (Kitchenware) – A Pooja, R Mahima, Bhumika Dive, Kavya Priya M, Sooraj K, Prateek Mathur; Group 4 (Terracotta Lighting) – Sanah Zacharia, Lowjin Vinod, Dorothy Jeyarosa J, Selvapriyadharshini S J, Lavanya Pandiya, Prakalya Shri; Group 5 (Japanese Earthenware) – Saloni, Rishi, Hima, Disha, Leena, Vishnu; and Group 6 (Dining Ware) – Jayavignarajan, Narein, Nipun, Riddi Mathkar, Shamini, Vaishnavi Bansod. Guided by Assistant Professor Mr. Sathish S and supported by artisans Mr. V. K. Munusamy, Mr. Venkatesan, Mr. G. Karunanithi, Mr. Baskar K, Mr. K. Muthulingam, Mr. Muruganantham P, Mr. P. Vanitha, and Mr. Vijay N, the project strengthened understanding of terracotta as a living craft ecosystem.