Om Prakash Galav is a potter from Ramgarh Alwar, Rajasthan. A 15th generation potter, he’s born right into a household of potters and says it was future that determined he tread this path as a profession. “I could not study beyond class 10 as my answer sheets went missing!” Galav says over a name from Rajasthan.
Though he tried to rewrite the examination, Galav says one thing or the opposite went improper. “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 didn’t really feel like returning to teachers. “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.”
Om Prakash Galav
Apart from conventional craft items, the 42-year-old Galav additionally 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 spherical varieties, and specialises in miniature pottery, a set of 1.2mm vessels together with pots, hookahs and bottles, which drew him into the highlight. “I started making miniatures in 2011, today it has become a trend.”
Today he’s the winner of the International Craft Awards (Master Artisan Male of the Year 2017) a Certificate of Participation within the Nantong Contemporary Craft Biennale-China (2014), WCC Award of Excellence for Handicrafts (2014 and 2012), and National Award (2010) by workplace of the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
Galav can be an advocate for environmental conservation, which he propagates by way of his creations and in addition visits instructional 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, interprets to paper, the place the pottery is created with skinny, 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 big clay hookah, that depicts the assorted levels of habit to tobacco. This was unveiled by the Health Minister of Rajasthan and is put in on the Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur.
It is more difficult to be an artisan right this moment, 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 discovered a spot in collectors’ houses, inside designers and kitchenware with the center 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 women, he says he’s educating them and in addition educating 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 probably be held at Freedom Park, Bengaluru from May 28 to June 3, between 11am and 8pm.
Published – May 27, 2025 11:57 am IST
