Annotated Bibliography – Pottery and miscellaneous Arts and Crafts of North-Eastern India

1. Naga Institute of Culture. The arts and crafts of Nagaland, published by Shri Alemchiba Ao on behalf of the Naga Institute of culture.

It describes the technique of pottery making in Nagaland. Wood-carving is also explained in detail with illustrations, especially wood-carving and its association with religion–how and when carving is done. The book also throws light on various tools and techniques used in carving.

2. Chattopadhyaya, Kamladevi. The glory of Indian Handicrafts, Indian Book Company, New Delhi ,1996.

A generalized article on pottery of India without any reference to the north–eastern pottery. Two paragraphs on woodcarvings of Assam and small descriptions about metal-ware of both Assam and Manipur can be singled out for our purposes. 

3. Saikia, Rajen. Social and Economic History of Assam 1853-1921, Manohar Publishers
and Distributers New Delhi,2000

A chapter on pottery ,why it survived,different names of pottery which are in common use in Assam.

4. Abhraham, .T.M, Handicrafts of India, Gondals Press,New Delhi,1964.

Refers to woodwork in Assam, in particular its association with religion, types of wood used, and special artifacts made from the wood.

5. Jyotindra, Jain. Other Masters: Five Contemprary Folk and Tribal Artists of India,published in1998 by Crafts Museum and The Handloom Corporation of India, New Delhi,1998

An article on Neelmani Devi,folk artist from Manipure elucidates the technique of pottery making, myths on the origin of pottery in Manipur together with Neelmani Devi`s contribution to the craft of making pottery.

6. Bhavani Enakshi. Folk and Tribal Design of India, printed by H.N Dastur at associated Advertisers and Printers, Bombay,1974.

A brief reference to wood-carving in Arunachal Pradesh, especially to making of wooden tobacco pipes, bowls, morungs made by Wanchos ,Konyaks and Phoms in the state.

7. Barpujari, H.K. The comprehensive history of Assam Vol.V, Publication Board Assam,1993.

It throws some light on the woodcarvers and potters of the past in Assam.

8. Hussain, Majid. Encyclopedia of North-East Vol-VI India, Rima Publishing House,New Delhi,1998.

The entire technique of pottery making in Nagaland is explained.

9. Hussain, Majid, Encyclopedia of North-East India Vol-I,Arunachal Pradesh, Rima Publishing House, New Delhi,1998.

Refers to the different tribes practising woodcarving, and the type of woodcarving along with its religious significance.

10. Saraf, D.N. In the Journey of Craft Development 1941-1991, Sampark(Publication Division).

It briefly explains the different types of crafts existing in the North-Eastern region.

11. Hussain, Majid. Encyclopedia of Manipur, Rima Publishing House,New Delhi,1998.

Wood-work and Pottery making in Manipur have been explained in short paragraphs.

12. Singh, Prakash. Nagaland, India Book House,1972.

It has details on different kinds of weapons used by tribals in Nagaland. Woodcarving, Pottery and Blacksmithy in Nagaland also find a mention in the book.

13. Saigal, Omesh. Tripura-its history and culture. Concept Publishing Company Delhi,1978.

A chapter is devoted to folklore and tales of the state.

14. Arunachal Pradesh-1947-72 produced by the director of Information and Public Relations, Arunachal Pradesh, Shillong.

A book is full of illustrations accompanied by easy to understand text. It has one paragraph on dances of Arunachal Pradesh.

15. Vidyarthi, P.L Art and Culture of North -East, Published by the Director Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Delhi,1986.

A short paragraph on Pottery of Nagaland, its making, and the people who make it, etc. The book has a detailed article on woodwork, that explains the art as practised by different tribes in Nagaland. It also throws light on the different ways in which woodwork finds expression in the day to day lives of the tribals.

16. Saraf, D.N. Indian Crafts-Development and Potential, Vikas Publishing House, New Delhi 1982.

A comprehensive information on crafts covering almost all the north-eastern region (except Mizoram ) is available.

17. Panchami Sheiker: Manipur Religion,Culture and Society, KonarkPublishers, New Delhi 1987.

The chapter on music, dance, art and craft is informative and provides a holistic perspective to understand the working of the Manipuri society.

18. Elwin,Verrier.The art of North-East frontier of India, Published by Sachin Roy on behalf of the North-East frontier Agency,Shillong,1959,

The last chapter`The warrior as wood -carvers” is completely devoted to woodcarving under three heads -(a)Head -Hunting (b)Morungs (c) Funery images in entire frontier area. At the end of the book there are many illustrations.

19. Chattopadhyaya, Kamladevi. Tribalism in India, Vikas Publishing House,New Delhi,1978.

The book interprets and depicts the varied aspects of Indian tribal life, in particular the the tradition relating to their origin, their social customs, and crafts etc. in a simple language to a lay person.

20. Majumdar, Krishnakali “An Angami village;Nagaland-A contemporary Ethnography (ed.) Subhadra Mitra Channa.Cosmos Publication,New -Delhi1992.

Describes Khels(local unit of the village) and Kharu(wooden gate in a typical Angami village.

21. Jain, Jyotindra and Aarti Aggarwal. Museums of India: National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museums,Grantha Corporation,U.S.A ,1989.

It catalogues a specific collection, however, it also serves as a handbook of India`a folk arts and crafts. The authors have gleaned a wealth of information on everyday life of craftsmen-hither to uncollated and unpublished-on the myths and legends that inspire the artisans. It contains 228 photographs that facilitate understanding of the reader.

22. Ganguli, Milada, Naga Art, Oxford & IBH, New Delhi, 1984.

A first hand account by the author of the traditions of singing, dancing, and the making of log-drums by different Naga tribes in Nagaland. A beautifully illustrated book.

23. Brigadier Verghese C.G. and R.L Thanzawna. A History of Mizos Vol-I.Vikas Publishing House.New Delhi.

The book describes the festivals and dance of the Mizos in a simple and lucid style.

24. A project report (unpublished) on The Pottery of Manipur by (Smt.)Sobhita Devi, Curator, Manipur State Museum, submitted to the I.G.N.C.A.

25. A project report of Madhupur(north)Village West Tripura,Tripura-under I.G.N.C.A UNESCO PROJECT:VILLAGE INDIA.