Dharamkot Studio — Attraction in Himachal Pradesh

Musing about Mud Pottery- a craft that can be traced to the dawn of human civilisation. There is a romantic vision that pottery as a craft easily lends itself to: a potter sitting at a spinning wheel, fully absorbed. This notion allured my mom and me to get our hands dirty with clay, and what better a place than Dharamkot with all it's zen in full glory. A place where you can literally hear every sound of nature so distinctly,  making you wonder where all these vivid sounds get drowned away in our everyday lives.

More than a home away from home. Our everyday meditative retreat or ' chill out addah' as we would often refer to it, was at Dharamkot Studio . A haven where you  delve into pure tranquillity with the mesmerising spinning wheel and some of the best loungy music playing in the background, hightening the whole experience of escaping the realms of life as we know it.

As astonishing and disbelieving as it may sound,  but true, Sadaiv, our mentor and the owner of Dharmakot studio, is an entirely self made man! He has tutored himself into pottery for 10 months and has now become a master of the craft. He eventually found his bearings in the clay business as a tutor for nearly 4 months now but the sensual and hypnotizing dance he creates with the clay makes you believe he was born into this naturally. He runs instructive classes at Dharamkot Studio, located close to Dharamshala , in the state of Himachal Pradesh, with courses ranging for kids to adults.

The social life at Dharamkot was also full, varied and almost always involved great food.

The serious full focused clay business would gradually turn into mad fun nights with lots of giggles and bonding on with real genuine people who began to feel like family in another world.

Vivek, Sadaiv's partner, who also assists him in the studio makes you feel instantly welcomed and comfortable with his infectious smile and his true heart.

Om, Sadaiv's friend and our regular drop in visitor was our everyday comic reliever with his subtle and timely stand-up comedies that set us rolling in laughter until the pits of our stomach hurt!

Suhana, a.k.a chotta phataka, Sadaiv's 5 year old neighbour, is a perfect example of 'India's Got Talent', for she can sing her way into your heart with classical Hindi songs without missing a single beat or lyric! Her witty comebacks on being teased by anyone, are an accurate representation of 'Big things coming in small packages'.

Alice, the forever happy dog who always greeted us with her friendly leaps and kept  us entertained with her continuous squabbles with het neighbouring lover 😄

Another one that deserves a special mention is our Israeli friend, Ruth, who's endless interwoven stories filled all the silent and otherwise moments, leaving us in scrambled notions on the content of our conversations!

Our  highlight and takeaway- And like us, if you happen to be amazing company, you might fall into Sadaiv's  'worthy' category to enjoy some of the best privileges he has to offer- The most memorable & flavourful home cooked chicken biryani or a version if it (with my kinda satisfying spice levels! Truly a night to remember! ) All in all pottery calmed me down as it demands so much concentration. When you’re working on a pottery wheel, you forget what is happening around you, that’s how much he gets you involved in the studio . It’s physical, it’s meditative, it’s therapeutic, which was accentuated with the great vibes, music and food.  I mean,  what else do you really need?

If you're looking for an artsy way to spend your days, in a place where 'time' ceases to exist, look no further than...

Dharamkot is a hidden gem (and if I had it my way I wouldn’t tell anyone so I could keep it from turning into a nuisance some of its crowded neighbors have become.)

Pottery classes offered by Sadaiv at Dharamkot studios are a recommendation for a great way to spend your time if you enjoy learning new skills, a beautiful view and great company.

Now, you may create excellent pottery or you may simply exercise the art of beginning again and again with a mound of clay on your wheel, but what is certain is that you will have a joyful, tranquil and inspiring time.

During my pottery classes it thundered and hailed, we even saw a rainbow over the mountain from the priceless view at the studios you cannot overlook. At first I prided myself at finding an activity that was indoors in such bad weather but soon this feeling was replaced with the peace I was experiencing. It occurred to me that it is only natural that an opportunity such as this exists in a haven such as dharamkot. After all, even after we get away from cities a lot of times we are still operating at the level of what all we can do with this new place. To sit in once place and quietly work on a creative task to me seemed perfect for the environment I was in.

Sadaiv, the founder and main artist does not teach, he demonstrates while you observe. He is clear about the fleeting existence of anything created with clay. He will very quickly and seamlessly create a fine piece of artifact and before you so much as make a sound of appreciation he will dump it into a bucket. You may respond with shock at this but what better way to show that it is not what you make but the enjoyment of doing so. Vivek, also a teacher is extremely helpful and will rescue your work from doom many times before you can know it and show you ways you may not give up. The activity itself is difficult to learn, you are humbled very quickly surrounded by many creations that seem impossible to attempt when you sit at the wheel. It is entirely possible that as you keep at it, you may encounter epiphanies and begin to map the moving wheel to moving time, the amorphous clay waiting to be formed as moments in your life yet to occur. None it can be hurried and something beautiful will only rise when you practice confidence in your will that are your hands, move slowly and believe that you can only build up from bottom. If these thoughts begin seeping in during your time at the wheel then that’s on you, may be more can be uncovered here than at the Vipassana center down the street. I’ll let you be the judge of that. You may also just laugh at yourself the whole time. But again, a great time is guaranteed.

I had a late bus out of Dharamkot/ mcloedganj, Sadaiv in his utmost generosity let me stay in the studio till the time for the bus. He cooked and shared dinner. My experience at Dharamkot studio transcended that of wanting to learn a skill to forming a meaningful connection and for that I am thankful because that is the very thing we go looking for when we escape to a place as serene as Dharamkot. We may find it in water streaming down in falls, quiet rain or humble mountain trails but to see it embodied in human beings has been the true quest.

So yes, in short you play with clay, learn to use the wheel, take breaks, drink tea/coffee that they offer you, you admire Alice, the adorable pup. It’s as simple as that and bound to...

A Dream Retreat in the Hills There's a serenity to be found amidst the quiet mountains, and Dharamkot Studio is where that tranquility meets the art of pottery. Situated in an idyllic setting, high in the mountains and far from the hustle and bustle of city life, this studio is truly a haven for the soul. If I could describe my 5-day retreat experience in one word, it would be "magical."

Location, Location, Location! Tucked away in a secluded, scenic spot, Dharamkot Studio offers the sort of views you've only dreamed of. Picture this: undulating mountain slopes, panoramic vistas, and breathtaking landscapes. The surroundings are so peaceful that you can hear your own thoughts—and perhaps, even the whispering secrets of the clay you're about to shape.

Delectable Food Elevating this experience is the exceptional food provided throughout the retreat. Every meal felt like an extension of the creativity I experienced during the day's lessons. Fresh, local, and lovingly prepared, the cuisine complements the overall experience and leaves you nourished in body and soul.

Pottery Classes & Instructors: Masters of the Craft The very heart of the Dharamkot Studio experience lies in its pottery classes. A special shoutout goes to Pragya, whose all-around efforts introduced us to the beauty of clay, handmade pottery, and artistic designs. Her comprehensive approach made it easy even for beginners to fall in love with the craft.

Prianka, a virtuoso at the pottery wheel, imparted her skills with such clarity that even the most challenging tasks seemed attainable. Her hands seemed to meld with the clay, and under her guidance, so did ours.

Dhiram—oh, what exquisite glasses he creates! Witnessing him in action was like watching a maestro at work, and the end results were nothing short of stunning.

Anton - the teacup guru, under his tutelage, we learned that making a teacup isn't just about creating a vessel to hold liquid—it's about crafting an experience for the user, making each sip of tea a little more special. It was astonishing to see how he imbued each teacup with a unique blend of practicality and aesthetic beauty.

And of course, a special thanks to Neeraj, who was always there to guide, assist, and help us fine-tune our skills at the pottery wheel. His subtle touches and tips made a world of difference.

A Word for the Founder Last but not least, heartfelt thanks to Manoj, one of the founders of Dharamkot Studio. Aside from creating this remarkable space for art and introspection, he enthralled us with incredible stories that added another layer of richness to our experience.

Conclusion Dharamkot Studio is not just a pottery retreat; it's an experience that nourishes your artistic abilities while rejuvenating your soul. If you're looking for an escape that brings you closer to nature and introduces you to the mesmerizing world of pottery, look no further. Your haven awaits in...