The story
Bankura's crafts grew under the Malla kings of Bishnupur, whose terracotta temples still stand. Panchmura potters make the stylised Bankura horse, Bishnupur weavers make Baluchari sarees with scenes from epics, and Kenjakura is a centre for brass and bell-metal utensils. Several of these crafts are now GI-registered.
In numbers
The Bankura Panchmura terracotta craft is carried by 4,000+ artisans, mostly family-based enterprises, including women.
From Terracotta to Textiles: GST Reforms to Empower Bengal's Industries (PIB factsheet) · 2025Of 260 brass and bell-metal units in the Kenjakura cluster, 100 were functional, with 5–6 artisans per unit.
Brief Industrial Profile of Bankura District, MSME-DI Kolkata, Ministry of MSME · 2012
GI tag
- Bankura Panchmura (terracotta)Application no. Application No. 453Registration details of Geographical Indications (state-wise register), IP India
- Baluchari SareeApplication no. Application No. 173Registration details of Geographical Indications (state-wise register), IP India
- Bankura Brass & Bell MetalsApplication no. Application No. 1034Registration details of Geographical Indications (state-wise register), IP India
- Bengal DokraApplication no. Application No. 563Registration details of Geographical Indications (state-wise register), IP India
Ways in for a newcomer
- Sell terracotta and bell-metal items to hotels, interior designers and online
- Baluchari saree retail and online selling for weaver groups
- Packaging and courier tie-ups for fragile crafts
Problems the cluster faces
- Rising brass and copper prices for bell-metal makers
- Breakage and transport costs for terracotta
- Low artisan incomes and few successors
Businesses to start here
Terracotta Décor & Utility Ware →Brass Utensils (Thali Sets) →Pooja Brass Wares (Idols, Lamps, Bells) →Ghungroo and Ghanti (Brass Bells) →Handloom and Handicrafts Retail Shop →Online Folk Art and Art Gallery Marketplace →