Pottery at Thimi

Shadowed by the big cities, Thimi is a serene, traditional town. Located only

a few kilometers away from Kathmandu, this beautiful town is rather

untouched by the vast city life and modernization. Despite being close to

urbanization, it has been able to preserve its traditional taste. The simplicity

Thimi holds is something that separates it from other places. Thimi is a

typical Newari town with majority of people belonging to Prajapati caste,

which is a Newari sub-caste.

Thimi, not just being culturally complete, is also rich in art and crafts.

Whenever pottery is talked about, the name Thimi appears almost

interchangeably. Pottery can be seen as a tradition among the people of

Thimi. Almost everyone living there is related to pottery in a way or the

other. These pottery making knowledge and skills are passed down from

generations in Thimi. The name Prajapati, as discussed above, in Sanskrit

language means ‘producer’. Thus, the Prajapati are known to make ceramic

products at Thimi.

Pottery is in every round and corner of Thimi. If you ever walk by the streets

of Thimi, you will see pots and cups being dried outside houses. These

artists make clay pots, ceramic plates, water pots, vessels, wind champs,

sculptures of Gods, animal and other interesting things. Clay goods are

essential to many Hindu and Buddhist religious ceremonies. During pujas

small ceramic cups are used to hold candles and butter lamps. Various

ceramic set ups are needed for making traditional Newari alcohol. These

potteries hold value in our traditions and culture. These very talented

craftsmen hold the secret of turning a pile of mud into something meaningful

and useful. They are a heritage to the county and add grace to Nepali art.

Many of the pottery shops at Thimi will let outsiders experience the process

of making these pieces of art. Many enterprises entertain pottery classes.

These classes allow you to touch the very depth of art and gives you an

experience of how something as pure as art is created. The process of

making pottery in itself holds great elegance and somewhere helps you

connect to the roots of nature. This is an experience you would not want to

miss. There are several pottery classes that can be signed up online, or can

be found at Thimi itself.

The best thing about Thimi, I think, is its authenticity. What is appears to be

is exactly what it is. Its pureness holds in it a world of creativity and poise.

Only a place that can create art be as composed as Thimi.

Thimi is is located just off the Kathmandu-Bhaktapur highway and is

divided by a main road into New Thimi and Old Thimi. It is very convenient

to reach. Local transportations are easily available. A taxi can be hired for a

comfortable ride. Busses and microbusses can be accessed from Koteshwor.

As Thimi falls on the way to Bhaktapur, one can simply get on a bus to

Bhaktapur and get off at Thimi.