Meet Om Prakash Galav, 15th generation potter, who brings his pots to Bangalore Dastkar Bazaar 2025
Om Prakash Galav is a potter from Ramgarh Alwar, Rajasthan. A 15th generation potter, he is born into a family of potters and says it was destiny that decided he tread this path as a career. 'I could not study beyond class 10 as my answer sheets went missing!' Galav says over a call from Rajasthan.
Though he tried to rewrite the exam, Galav says something or the other went wrong. 'Financially, the family was struggling and I joined my father, the late Fateh Ram Prajapat, in the family craft.'
As he explored pottery, Galav says he did not feel like returning to academics. 'I did try to take up a stable job and applied for the IPS in 2008. I cleared theory, but a couple of days ahead of the physical exam, I met with an accident and could not make it for the exam.'
Apart from traditional craft pieces, the 42-year-old Galav also creates pots, pans and lampshades out of clay. 'The aim is to not compromise on tradition and ancient techniques, yet create designs that will appeal to today's users.'
Galav works in round forms, and specialises in miniature pottery, a set of 1.2mm vessels including pots, hookahs and bottles, which drew him into the spotlight. 'I started making miniatures in 2011, today it has become a trend.'
Today he is the winner of the International Craft Awards (Master Artisan Male of the Year 2017) a Certificate of Participation in the Nantong Contemporary Craft Biennale-China (2014), WCC Award of Excellence for Handicrafts (2014 and 2012), and National Award (2010) by office of the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
Galav is also an advocate for environmental conservation, which he propagates through his creations and also visits educational institutes and conducts workshops, seminars and demonstrations.
Galav specialises in Kagazi Alwar pottery. 'We work with very thin clay . People worry about the longevity of the craft, but it is sturdier than one can imagine and will break only if it is dropped.'
Kagzi, explains Galav, translates to paper, where the pottery is created with thin, clay moulds. 'Sometimes the clay is as light as paper. This was a dying art and my brothers and I do our best to keep it alive to keep the family legacy going.'
One of his largest creations is a huge clay hookah, that depicts the various stages of addiction to tobacco. This was unveiled by the Health Minister of Rajasthan and is installed at the Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur.
It is more challenging to be an artisan today, says Galav. 'You are competing with industrialised products, designed by AI, which are utilitarian and artistic. There are those people who look at the craftsmanship . It is a choice each person makes. Things will get better only if everyone, government, craftspeople and the customers work collectively to make art a daily part of life.'
Galav's works have found a place in collectors' homes, interior designers and kitchenware with the middle class. 'We hardly get any returns in this, but wanted our work to be accessible to all and make tea lights holders, vases and lamps.
Creating cookware, is special for Galav. 'It is a social responsibility as a potter, because cooking in clay is healthy and environmentally sustainable too.'
A father of two girls, he says he is educating them and also teaching them craftsmanship. 'One has written her NEET. She is free to pursue her dreams or join the family tradition.
Galav will bring his products to Bengaluru as part of Bangalore Dastkar Bazaar 2025. 'I will not be able to stay for more than a day, but my brother, Ishver Singh, also an artisan, will represent the family at bazaar.'
Bangalore Dastkar Bazaar 2025 will be held at Freedom Park, Bengaluru from May 28 to June 3, between 11am and 8pm.
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