Ever Seen Clay Fruits That Look Real? Discover the Magic of a Lost Indian Clay Art Form in Lucknow!

Ever wandered through a local mela or Diwali fair and been mesmerised by those tiny baskets of lifelike clay fruits? Bananas with perfect ridges, mangoes with blushing cheeks, oranges so realistic you’d almost peel one—remember those? For most 90s kids, these clay toys weren’t just decorations; they were part of play kitchens, birthday gifts, and innocent memories of a slower time. In the heart of Lucknow, near the ever-bustling Ghantaghar, I stumbled upon the man who still keeps that nostalgia alive—Mr. Kamal Kumar, an artisan who has dedicated his entire life to preserving this fading Indian art form. As we stand at the crossroads of digital markets and vanishing traditions, his story offers a slice of history, resilience, and craftsmanship. This is not just a tale about clay—it’s about legacy, love, and the quiet struggle to keep an old-world charm from disappearing.

The Man Behind the Mould: Mr. Kamal Kumar and His Clay Legacy

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At first glance, Mr. Kamal Kumar’s stall might look like something straight out of a childhood dream. Neatly arranged trays display baskets of colourful clay fruits—tiny mangoes, apples, grapes, and even vegetables that are astonishingly lifelike. They’re not just eye candy for curious passers-by; they’re artefacts of a dying tradition. “Yeh kaam humare dada-par dada se chala aa raha hai,” Kamal shares with a gentle smile. He’s been moulding clay since he was a child, learning the ropes from his father, who learned it from his father before him. For generations, this has been the family’s rozi-roti and art form—rolled into one.

The process is time-consuming, detailed, and fully handmade. Kamal explains, “Pehle hum PVC ka mould banate hain. Phir mitti laake use paani mein bhigate hain, massage karke bilkul sahi texture dete hain. Fir us mitti ko mould mein daal kar shape dete hain.” After this, the moulded clay is cooked in a traditional chulha, then dried under the sun before it gets painted—each detail, from the blush of a guava to the speckled skin of a custard apple, is done by hand. No machines, no shortcuts—just skill, patience, and a whole lot of junoon. This entire process, just to make one fruit basket, takes anywhere between 10 and 20 days. And guess how much they sell it for? Just Rs. 500 per basket. Or, if you want a smaller set of six pieces, it’s only Rs. 250. It’s a price that barely covers the labour, let alone the artistry.

But Kamal isn’t just any artisan. He’s a national award recipient and even has one international award under his belt. One might expect this recognition would come with benefits—funding, exposure, support from the government? Sadly, that isn’t the case. “Sirf kagaz mila. Government ki taraf se koi protsahan nahi mila,” he says, eyes slightly downcast. There’s a weariness in his voice, the kind that only decades of being overlooked can bring. “Bahut saare kalakaar chhod ke jaa chuke hain yeh kaam. Aur agar yahi chalta raha, toh kuch saal baad yeh kala khatam ho jaayegi.”

Today, Mr. Kumar continues this journey with his wife as his partner in art and life. The couple now sells their products both offline and online, hoping to reach those who still value such craftsmanship. He adds, “Log bahut tareef karte hain, par kharidte nahi hain. Hum tayyar hain bhejne ke liye, bas buyers chahiye.” For orders or inquiries, you can reach Mr. Kamal Kumar directly at +917348283129. Let’s be honest—how often do you get a chance to buy something so authentically Indian, so wonderfully nostalgic, and help preserve a dying art in the process?

Preserve the Art, Cherish the Childhood Nostalgia

In a world rushing towards automation and speed, Mr. Kamal Kumar’s clay creations remind us of a time when art took time—and was worth the wait. His story is not just about toys, but about tradition, patience, and the quiet pride of handmade Indian crafts. If you grew up playing with clay fruits, this is your cue to bring a piece of that joy home again. Support Indian artisans. Buy a basket of memories.