Meenakshi Rajendra will be leading an intensive with the fast paced, exciting, Obvara Firing where we build forms and fire them with this ancient eastern European technique. Along with that expect to learn a wide variety of interesting accessorising techniques like crackling, marbling, mishima, coloured clay and more
Dates 24th March to 7th April 2026 (Check in 24th March, Check out 7th April)
Slow Pottery Studio Location Velanga Orchard, Andhra Pradesh, India
Here's a guide to staying at our farm.
Accommodation & Studio Details below
Ceramic Artist / Facilitators Meenakshi Rajendra, Maati Srijan, Delhi India
Level All Levels Welcome (Must know basics of making a pot)
Duration 10 days
Firing
- Course includes Obvara Natural Firing - 5 pots of size height 8", width 8" per student
- Pots with surface decoration techniques - only bisque fired as you'll be learning some techniques towards the end of the workshop - 5 pots of size height 8", width 8" per student
Studio Hours & Materials
All days 10:30 am to 5:00pm (This includes teaching, supervision and practice on your own)
Optional self practice in the studio 5:30pm to 8pm
All materials will be provided
The Intensive
Meenakshi Rajendra, a pottery instructor who believes in "take no knowledge to your grave." Her nurturing approach makes ceramics less intimidating for beginners.
Experience her 10-day intensive featuring the unique Obvara Firing—an Eastern European technique where pots reach 1000°C in just an hour before being dramatically dunked in a fermented solution.
Beyond firing, you'll learn various surface decoration techniques including crackle effects, mocha diffusion, coloured clay work, slip decoration, marbling and more. Perfect for beginners to intermediate potters ready to advance beyond basics in a warm, supportive environment.
The Intensive will include -
- Making Pots for Obvara Raku Firing which will dry for a few days and go through bisque firing and conduct the Obvara Firing during the last leg of the intensive.
- During the drying and bisque firing of pots, you will learn surface decoration techniques like - Coloured clay, painting, carving, Sgraffito, Crackle effect on pots, mocha diffusion, slip decoration, marbling, mishima, chattering.
- The pots you make while learning surface decoration techniques, can be bisque fired on Day 8 so you can take them home. There won't be anytime to glaze and do the second firing. Each student will be limited to make 5 pots of size 8" height and 8" length besides are main Obvara Collection.
About the Ceramic Artist
As a ceramic artist, I blend materiality and memory in sculptural works inspired by historical monuments, architectural relics, classical ruins, religious structures, and forgotten civic spaces.
Clay sculptural fragments inspire cultural memory through doors and jharokhas, exploring transition and perspective.
With over two decades devoted to the art of ceramic pottery, I've established a significant presence in the Indian pottery scene.
My pottery is showcased in exhibitions nationwide, blending tradition with innovation through techniques like Obvara and Raku firing. Each piece captures a fusion of spontaneity and craftsmanship.
As the proud owner of my pottery studio, I share the intricacies of ceramic pottery through teaching, aiming to inspire others on the journey of fired artistry.
Few of my Participation are in brief as under
- 7 Days Group Exhibition at India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
- Selected for my work on display at Intercontinental Bienal 2024 at Argentina.
- Participating in India Art, architecture and Design Biennale 2024, Door and
Gates of India, section
- Participated in international artist exchange Exhibition with Srilankan artists at
Kala Srot Art Gallery, at Lucknow
- International Art Festival by Artistry, Jaipur
- Art camp at Lalit Kala Garhi, New Delhi organised by Lalit Kala Akademy
- 21 days group show curated by Uma Nair at National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, in collaboration with ICCR, New Delhi
- 15 Days Group Exhibition on International Women's Day at National Gallery of
Modern Art, New delhi
- Participated in Potter's Annual Exhibition at AIFACS, New Delhi
- 7 Days Group Exhibition on in Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi.
- Participated in Group Exhibition for Orissa Flood Relief Fund at AIFACS, New Delhi.
- 15 Days exhibition First International kalaMela, organized by Lalit Kala Akademi
- 7 Days Exhibition in women Art Show at Garhi organized by Lalit Kala Akademi
- Participated in Winter Show of Garhi Working Artists, 2018 by LalitkalaAkademi.
- 3 Days exhibition at Bhopal Potters’ Market, Bhopal
- 7 Days Group exhibition at Lalit Kala Akademi, Garhi, New Delhi
- 7 days group exhibition at 20th All India studio potters exhibition,
2017,organised by AIFACS
Few of my work/Projects undertaken are as under
- Mementos for National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, India in 2019
- Mementos for International BRICS Summit in India in the year 2019-20
- Souvenirs for Souvenirs shop at National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, India in 2021
Fellowship/scholarships
- Senior Scholarship in Ceramic from Centre for cultural resources and Training
(CCRT) under Ministry of Culture, New Delhi
Slow Pottery Studio Facilities & Environment
The Slow Pottery studio is situated in Velanga Orchard, surrounded by mango trees. Our focus on natural light and airflow creates a minimal, inspiring space for our students. The local Kerala tile roof and glass tiles provide shade and brightness, even in the hottest months.
We have an electric wheel for each student, one electric kiln, a small kitchenette with unlimited freshly ground coffee, plenty wedging tables to spread wide with projects along with a restful chai spot to catch a break during long work hours. Ample shelves, stoneware clay, all materials required for each intensive is a given.
Hoping the studio fosters inspiring intensives and nurtures a space where creativity, ideas, and positive energy flourish.
Farm Stay & Accommodation - Velanga Orchard
Velanga Orchard is located in Andhra Pradesh in a village known as Jambuneradipalli, a mango orchard, skirting a reserve forest at the foot of a hill with a couple of lakes nearby. Surrounded by shrub forests endowed with over a 100 species of birds and animals.
Here's a guide to staying at our farm.
The Stay
- We have individual cottages for single occupancy, a shared accommodation for double occupancy.
- The cottages are built using vernacular design, local material and vintage aesthetics. The space is surrounded by neem, coconut, teak trees, under the canopies of mango trees, with the hill at the back and lush green all around.
Single Occupancy Private Cottage
Living space: Single bed with a side table, a study table and chair, Storage space for your belongings, with some décor elements.
Kitchenette: Kettle, hot plate, basic utensils, mini fridge, a clay water dispenser, basic cutlery.
Private bath & small patio
No air conditioners
Our common space for students has a laundry room for DIY Laundry, a dining where all meals including evening snacks will be provided, all day coffee & tea stations, a hang out space, library/study.
*The design of furniture varies in all cottages.
Double Occupancy Shared Cottage
Living space: Two Single beds with a side table, a study table and chair, two storage space for your belongings, with some décor elements.
Kitchenette: Kettle, hot plate, basic utensils, mini fridge, a clay water dispenser, basic cutlery.
Attached bath & small patio for two.
No air conditioners
Our common space for students has a laundry room for DIY Laundry, a dining where all meals including evening snacks will be provided, all day coffee & tea stations, a hang out space, library/study.
Here's a guide to staying at our farm.
Fees
Inclusive of the course, firings, materials & tools, studio time, valuable time with guest teacher, stay, wholesome home cooked meals and snacks, farm activities, tax for the entire duration of the course.
Double Occupancy Shared Cottage - Rs.75,785/-
Single Occupancy Private Cottage - Rs.86,985/-
To Register
Once the payment is made, we will get back to you with a welcome mail. If you'd like to chat about the course, the stay, travel, schedule a call or more, please write to us at hello@slowpottery.com and I'll personally get back to you within one working day.
Cancellation Policy
- If you cancel before and on the 1st December 2025, we will provide you with a 100% refund.
- If you cancel between the 2nd December to 15th December 2025, we deduct 50% of the total fees as cancellation fees and refund you the remaining paid amount.
- Post 15th December 2025, we will not be providing any refund.
- In case of International payment refunds, the customer bears the transfer fee. It will get automatically deducted by the payment gateway.
- If your case of medical emergency informed at-least a week in advance, we can consider rescheduling the course (upon providing proof) Refund is not possible. Less than a week, we will not be able to help you.
- Due to any reason, you have to leave during the course, we won't be able to give you a refund or reschedule.
- We follow this policy without any exceptions.
- We take three to four weeks to process the refund.
Hope to see you soon!