Menden, proprietor of Tanemi Pottery – ceramic studio and workshop.
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 10
Tanemi Pottery – ceramic studio and workshop in Dimapur, Nagaland is built with the purpose to introduce the art of pottery to our people which already is part of the Naga culture. Tanemi - a word of the Ao Naga language which is translated to “unhurried” implies that “in today’s fast-moving world, let’s focus our creative energies and create with perseverance to bring forth creation to the world.”
Menden, the young woman behind Tanemi and its visions, has always found inspirations through “words.” Marking the opening of her ceramic studio and workshop on August 10, Menden said that the inspirations for the products she creates come through words. When a particular feeling spring to mind, it is translated into words and then transformed into objects or products, she said.
Sharing about her love for pottery, Menden recollected the one moment during her schooling days in Kolkata where she first come across the craft of pottery. “During my high school days, when we visited an art live exhibition in Kolkata, I was drawn to a potter. I approached him and he allowed me to have first hand on experience of making pottery,” she shared. “It was an overwhelming experience and that feeling never left.”
After coming back to Dimapur in 2017, Menden did not let go of that feeling and there on she started researching on pottery. She found her way to one of the “oldest” pottery training institutes in Gurgaon and started to nurture her love for pottery. When Menden came back to Nagaland after her training, people were still not open to pottery. She started teaching pottery in schools and other institutions. “It was only after the lockdown, people started opening up to the idea of pottery. People of all age group were coming to learn. That is when I knew, it is time,” she stated.
The art of pottery, as Menden noted is already a part of the Naga culture. Along the way and with time, she added, we have lost some attachments with pottery. Looking at our history, pottery was always part of the Naga culture.’ “I don’t want pottery to be foreign.
Contemporary pottery is progressing but we also have to keep our traditional pottery going. Every generation has to keep learning,” she asserted. “Not only should we go out to learn, but others should be able to come and learn from us,” she added.
“Today I have started a studio but my dream is to make it grow into an institution where people from different places and culture would come together and become part of learning and teaching about pottery,” she expressed.
On the rampant availability of ceramic products in the market, Menden raised awareness that it is important to know that all the raw materials she uses are “lead free.” Menden also observed that pottery is very expensive outside Nagaland. However, keeping in mind the complex economy of Nagaland state she informed that Tanemi offers reasonable fee structures. It has different courses for one day, one week and month-wise packages.
This cozy studio and workshop, located in Kashiram road (opposite sub-jail) near Eden Medical Centre, is now open to take students and trainees and to create pottery products that make memories and tell stories.
