It’s hard to find a house in a metropolitan setting that smells of fresh clay. But one such house is potter Anju Kumar’s home and studio in Gurgaon that boasts of her connection with rustic roots amid a contemporary set-up.
Both her house and studio adjoining the house boast of beautiful decorations done with wood, dried leaves, paintings done by her, her sculptures and pottery.
She loves clay. Her tryst with clay shows at the very entrance. From tiny kitsch objects like a small monkey-shaped flowerpot and a ceramic Tree of Life, everything’s homemade and earthy.
“My house is decorated with artworks and artefacts designed by me. I feel spiritually connected to my work when I see them around me,” says Anju, who is not only into pottery but painting too.
So, while her studio with a wood ceiling displays the varied works she has done over 22 years, from ceramic, terracotta, earthenware, stoneware and porcelain, her house exhibits her bright and colourful paintings. She says she has a special liking for bright hues like red, black, orange, etc.
When we enter the house through a door (which again has a customised appeal with zari work embedded between the glasses) adjoining the studio, the first thing to come to notice is a big, abstract Ganesha painting leading us to the stairs that lead to an aesthetically done up living area.
Uncluttered, light and bright are the basic tones of the house. Bright paintings add colour to the entire house. Paintings have been done keeping in mind the people who spend the most time in certain areas. Like, outside her son’s room, an abstract artwork with his favourite colours is displayed. In the living area, a red and black painting that suits everyone has been put on view, besides vases and other artefacts.
A special section is Anju’s mandir that has handwritten shlokas. “My dad is also very fond of painting. He has written these shlokas for me from tulsi kalam. Some of these date back to my childhood. Since these are very close to my heart, I placed them on a board like a collage and framed it,” she says.