Puducherry is regarded as the southern hub of ceramic pottery. It is where modern traditions of pottery and stoneware embarked on its journey almost 50 years ago. Eventually, these traditions spread to other parts of India, especially those that are tourism-rich.

The Union Territory of Puducherry, along with Auroville, has a community of studio potters crafting functional tableware and unique art pieces. The community sources the clay from the nearby Ousteri Lake, and uses wood from Casuarina trees for firing. In the early 1970s, American ceramic potter Deborah Smith, decided to move to India. She hoped to work and live for a while within the community of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. In 1971, she collaborated with Ray Meeker, to establish Golden Bridge Pottery (GBP) in Puducherry, setting the course for many contemporary potters. Now, these artists are not limited to Puducherry.

January 2024 will see the Indian Ceramics Triennale in New Delhi, initiated by the Contemporary Clay Foundation. This event aims to showcase the growing diversity of ceramic art expression in India, and the use of ceramic within the visual arts field.

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