This one is for my potter friends – Ambar Agnihotri
and his lovely wife Monica. Both are die hard studio potters who love
experimenting especially with the firing, colours and glazing. They are
passionate about designs, about getting the right dimensions and both believe
that the ultimate pottery product is a gift of the kiln. Ambar is a trained NID
designer who sketches meticulously, finishes it gives it shape and then turns
it on the wheel. Monica is a natural who works straight on the wheel. Together they
have created a unique line of utility products of theirs called Maatika. It is
sold from their little home run gallery called Ambarka. Of course, Ambar says, “yeh
Monica ka bhi hai”.
The couple sell a beautiful range of
products both utility and one of a kind piece of pottery art. They specialize in
stoneware pottery. The utitlity range includes cups, mugs, bowls, soup bouls,
spoons, plates, serving plates and more. There are Ganeshas in all hues, lamps,
diya… take your pick given the entire range of their work. There is a crystalline
series of Monica while Ambar’s Sculptural Stoneware called De-construction
takes inspiration from engineering works like bridges, hence the embellishment
to shape giving it a precision industrial like feel – machine signs and symbols.
They also teach pottery to enthusiasts.
Go take a look at their work or the gallery
and listen to both of them speak passionately about pottery. It is well worth
the trip.
Location: It is located in Kalkaji, opposite
Nehru Place, behind Bhairav Baba Mandir.
Timings: Call before going to find either
of them there.
Insider Tip: Monica also stocks Masalas,
pickles made by her parents home grown business. Check out the gallery and
their collection, if nothing else, you will return reformed as a pottery
enthusiast or lover.