Meet Om Prakash Galav, 15th generation potter, who brings his pots to Bangalore Dastkar Bazaar 2025
The Hindu
Meet Om Prakash Galav, 15th generation potter, who brings his pots to Bangalore Dastkar Bazaar 2025
Om Prakash Galav is a potter from Ramgarh Alwar, Rajasthan. A 15th generation potter, he is born into a family of potters and says it was destiny that decided he tread this path as a career. “I could not study beyond class 10 as my answer sheets went missing!” Galav says over a call from Rajasthan.
Though he tried to rewrite the exam, Galav says something or the other went wrong. “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 did not feel like returning to academics. “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.”
Apart from traditional craft pieces, the 42-year-old Galav also 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 round forms, and specialises in miniature pottery, a set of 1.2mm vessels including pots, hookahs and bottles, which drew him into the spotlight. “I started making miniatures in 2011, today it has become a trend.”
Today he is the winner of the International Craft Awards (Master Artisan Male of the Year 2017) a Certificate of Participation in the Nantong Contemporary Craft Biennale-China (2014), WCC Award of Excellence for Handicrafts (2014 and 2012), and National Award (2010) by office of the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
Galav is also an advocate for environmental conservation, which he propagates through his creations and also visits educational institutes and conducts workshops, seminars and demonstrations.
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