Analysis of Design and Structural Qualities of Earthenware Storage Products: Use of Kalaya in Sri Lankan Context

Abstract

According to the Coomaraswamy (1949) there are four category of domestic clay ware items can be identified in the traditional houses in Sri Lanka as Cooking, processing, storage and transport objects. Sri Lanka had a grate endurance history for earthenware products and it origination goes back to prehistoric era. It was evaluated according to the usage and functionality of the product. As a result of the modernizing and needs of the people, objects and its usage were changed. Storage clay products are developed and designs for several purposes, they got inspirations for natural objects likes, labu ketaya, shells, that they were formerly used. They were identified earthenware is a proper material to produce storage items without getting any side effect for the consumer and foods. Liquid and dry substances used for storage. Kalaya is a one of the most popular and greatest design in the earthenware industry. It has traditional identity and advanced structural and aesthetical pleasing qualities to cater to the functionality. Earthenware storage product is such a vast area to study. This research focuses only about the storage Pot- Kalaya, examining its design, structural qualities and functionality. Earthenware products played a huge role in tradition. Clay ware can be identified as a horizon of the cultural empire and solid item which explains the past. Kalaya is a greatest creation in the earthenware industry. But in present, most of products less qualities with aesthetically, functionally and traditional objects were rarely used in the current society. New generations are not aware of the historical value of the product, design values, senses and how it can be observed or relevance to the usage. Kalaya is used as a research element in this paper, because it needs to be exploring about design, structural and functional qualities of the product. The methodology of the research was based on grounded theory method, the analysis is explored through actual descriptions made by observer, manufactures, historical records and existing products. The result of the research analysis leads different areas about traditional design of Kalaya or clay pot. It is a greatest design in the earthenware tradition in Sri Lanka. , it is developed to cater to the functionality. It has a superb shape and form, not only that but also it has good structural qualities, suitability for the functional usage, specially it is a talent of the craftsman. These findings are important to apply and process new designs for the earthenware industry in Sri Lanka.