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PREETI LIFELIKE
Weekend, Oct 29, 2005
The woman sat barefoot on her perch. Her bangles “jingle-jangled’’ as she adjusted the sari cloth over her head, tucking a loose strand of hair as she did so. With her anklet, bangles, necklace, ear-rings and nose stud, the Rajasthani native was clearly proud of her culture.
She was spotted sitting at Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC) in Kuala Lumpur, blending in nicely with the Malaysian and expat communities.
A few visitors remarked on her beauty and fine lines, some even enquired as to her price.
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One of the beautiful clay figurines by Preeti's Creations. |
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Along with other Indian figures, this Rajasthani clay beauty comes at a relatively high price – more than RM800. But that is the price for such beauty flown in all the way from India.
The clay figurines on display at one of the stalls at BSC’s foyer are part of Preeti’s Creations.
Pretty realistic
Proprietor Priti Gathani says she and her husband started designing these clay sculptures some years ago.
“We decided to do this because no one has done anything like this before. This is something very different, beautifully done.
“We get them made in Rajasthan, India because the type of clay found there is ideal for these figurines. Every single piece is 100% handmade by our own craftsmen.”
The wet clay is shaped and moulded with bare hands then placed in an oven. Natural dyes are used to add colour.
The process can take anywhere from two months to six months.
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Priti: 'We take photos of real models. That's why our sculptures look lifelike.' |
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No two designs are the same. “We actually take photos of real models. That’s why our sculptures look lifelike, with lines and folds,” says Priti.
Face value
Sometimes the same model is used so you would spot the same face on a few figures.
Priti says she has never had any figurines done using her own image.
“The people in Rajasthan have very sharp features which work well. We did rounded faces and really old faces, but they didn’t turn out too well. People want young, lively-looking women,” she says.
With the exception of one or two models, the others are all younger faces.
The oldest model is 89, and, as is clearly obvious in the figurine, the craftsman has captured her aged face and sagging breasts beautifully.
“When we first started we would make a model, then break it because it was not so good. What comes out now is pretty good,’’ says Priti.
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This old Rajasthani man was spotted among Preeti's Creations. |
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Preeti’s Creations has 20 to 25 craftsmen in Rajasthan who also create animal sculptures and Lord Ganesha images.
Sizeable figures
The figurines range in size from about three inches (1.18cm) high to three-and-a-half feet (one metre) high.
So far the items (priced between RM35 and RM5,000) are only sold in Malaysia at exhibitions, as the business does not have a shop yet.
Priti keeps her stock at her house and her businessman husband’s warehouse.
She’s hoping to expand the design line and take her creations to UAE and other countries.
The full-time mother of three is showcasing her clay creations at BSC till Deepavali.
She can also be contacted at (016) 654-8695 or e-mail priti_gathani@hotmail.com.
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Lord Ganesha figures can also be found among the collection. |
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Copyright Star Publications (M) Bhd
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