- Jagruti Katkar
At an art gallery in Majorda, manager Sonia Fernandes, 34, has similarly seen pottery bring people from different backgrounds together. Because you have to be present with the clay, pottery naturally makes you do that. Because when you go out for coffee or drinks, the main focus is usually the conversation, saili says, “I think it’s quite different.
I think that combination of creativity, mindfulness and simply slowing down is what makes pottery so appealing,” she says. Saili says her studio sees a wide mix of visitors. “We get such a mix of people — locals, tourists, people who have moved to Goa, couples, families, groups of friends and solo visitors,” she says. People from completely different walks of life, age groups and social circles get to interact and discover new areas of interest and areas of conversation,” she says. Everyone is essentially a beginner trying to figure something out with their hands,” he says. She says, “And I feel like the clay actually requires you to be very calm and very just like, treat it with like more love and patience, I feel. Meanwhile, Krupa Kotecha from Gujarat says, “I went in with my two sisters, so more than anything, it became a lovely bonding experience for the three of us.
As Goa looks beyond its familiar beaches, cafés and nightlife, pottery studios are offering a more hands-on way to unwind. They are drawing locals, tourists, couples, families and solo visitors who come not just to shape clay, but to slow down, switch off and spend time together. At a pottery studio in Anjuna, Saili Sutaria sees the appeal in the simple act of working with one’s hands. She shares, “I think people are increasingly looking for ways to slow down and disconnect from their phones and everyday routines. You’re using your hands, concentrating and being creative, but at the same time it’s very calming. For Saili, the experience is less about making the perfect pot and more about enjoying the process. “There’s also something very satisfying about making something tangible with your own hands. You don’t necessarily have to be good at it or make something perfect. It’s more about enjoying the process and seeing what comes out of it. A NEW WAY TO SOCIALISE The studios are also becoming unlikely social spaces, bringing together people who may otherwise never meet. Once everyone starts working with clay, she finds that the usual differences between them become less important. She adds, “Once everyone sits around the table with a piece of clay in front of them, those differences almost disappear. Everyone is learning, experimenting and figuring things out together. It creates a sense of being on the same level, regardless of where you’re from or what you do. “Every class or session. For those living in Goa, Sonia believes pottery also offers a welcome break from work, particularly for people working remotely. She adds, “I believe pottery has always been a way to unwind. In Goa as the opportunities and easier access to these services get more available, it reaches out to an audience who are either aiming to do just that – i.e. relax, or to an audience who are looking for alternative ways to take a break from their daily work lives. ” WHEN CLAY STARTS THE CONVERSATION Unlike meeting over coffee or drinks, pottery gives people a shared activity, making conversation more natural. With pottery, you’re actually doing something together. Your hands are busy, so conversations happen much more naturally and don’t feel forced. At a studio in Mandrem, director Manoj Dwivedi sees the same dynamic. He shares, “We have realised that the studio is not only a place for learning pottery. It naturally becomes a social space. For Manoj, clay helps level the playing field. “What is interesting is that once everyone starts working with clay, those backgrounds become much less important. He adds, “Clay is quite democratic that way. It gives people an immediate common subject and makes interaction easier. Clay has a way of flattening all that distance between strangers. For participants, the slower pace is often part of the attraction. Mumbai-based Prateek, who attended a workshop in Majorda, found himself learning to let go of control. He shares, “At one point, my instructor asked me to close my eyes, hold the clay gently, and focus instead of trying to control it. Somehow, that worked, and it was a lovely reminder to just be present and let things take their own course. For Pragati Keswani, who took up wheel pottery in Majorda, the craft brought a lesson in patience. Whether visitors come to learn the craft, spend time with loved ones or simply try something different, the draw appears to lie as much in the process as in the finished bowl, cup or tray — a few hours away from screens, with clay in their hands and conversation happening along the way. We’ve always shared a love for art, and shaping clay together added a whole new layer to that. There were also easy, friendly conversations with the studio’s hosts along the way — the kind of light connection that a shared creative space naturally brings out. Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day. Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.