Published Paper Details:

This paper examines Bengali terracotta artefacts through the analytical lens of product design, arguing that these objects represent a profound synthesis of cultural narrative and material craftsmanship. It posits that the form, function, and aesthetic of these products are not merely decorative but are intrinsically shaped by a triad of factors: deep-rooted cultural imperatives (religious symbolism, folklore, and social documentation), the material constraints and affordances of local river clay, and traditional manufacturing techniques (hand-moulding, coiling, and wood-firing). The research employs a secondary research methodology to deconstruct these artefacts, analysing how design choices--from the intricate narrative panels of Bishnupur temples to the ethnographic realism of Krishnanagar dolls--were solutions to specific functional, symbolic, and production problems. Furthermore, the paper investigates the contemporary challenges of preservation, commercialisation, and technological adaptation, framing them as product design issues concerning sustainability, authenticity, and innovation within a traditional craft ecosystem. The study concludes that Bengali terracotta art offers a vital case study for culturally-grounded design, providing valuable insights for designers seeking to create products that are simultaneously meaningful, manufacturable, and marketable in a global context.