Bhubaneswar, Oct. 24: The advent of glass and wrought iron products has failed to decrease the popularity of terracotta items, feel artistes.

From statues and bells to lamps and vases, the terracotta items are a favourite with those, who want to add a rustic charm to their homes.

Harekrushna Muduli, a potter from Nayagarh district who has been making terracotta items for the past 30 years, said the art form was no more restricted to making vases and pots. “We have updated our skills with time. Artefacts such as bells, hanging lamps, idols, wall hangings and candle stands are also made,” said Muduli.

The designs are made in such a way that it suits the modern homes and adds an aesthetic value to it, said the artisan. “The items are decorated with intricate representations and engravings. Various coloured dyes are also used to give variations to the products,” said Muduli.

While some items are polished for a shiny look, others are left unrefined to retain the country appeal.

Terracotta masks are a huge hit with people. “The masks have a tribal look and come in male and female pairs. One can also hang a group of masks in ascending or descending order. There is a great demand for these masks,” said Gangadhar Behera, another terracotta artisan from Bhadrak. At present, the art also finds a prominent place in garden decoration. Birdbaths, decorated pots and figures of animals and birds are often used to improve the looks of lawns and gardens.

The craze for terracotta could be asserted from the kind of crowd that thronged the recently concluded terracotta exhibition, Mruttika. It witnessed an average footfall of 10,000 people every day. Around 90 artisans from districts such as Keonjhar, Jajpur, Sambalpur, Rayagada took part in the exhibition.

“I prefer terracotta items to decorate my house. They are not only cheap but environment-friendly as well,” said Anita Patnaik, a 35-year-old homemaker.