I touch and feel wet clay between my palms and fingers and place it on the potter’s wheel. As a small pot takes shape, it makes me happy instantly. We are at Kaaliappan Goundenpudur near Pollachi trying pottery.
Master craftsman R Chinnasamy shows us how a lump of black clay is transformed into an exquisite piece of pottery. Over the next 30 minutes, he teaches the basics of pottery starting from how to handle the wheel, throwing, wedging the clay, and making suitable shapes on the wheel. “This experiential learning is going to be an unforgettable Pollachi experience, isn’t?” asks P T S Maheswar, executive director of Coco Lagoon .
Pottery at Kaaliappan Goundenpudur| Photo Credit:K Jeshi Coco Lagoon getaway resort by Great Mount is at the foothills of Anamalai Hills in the Western Ghats . It has plunge pool villas, tropical suites and executive deluxe villas that open to great vistas of Nature. Guests at the revamped property now can try their hand at pottery, learn organic farming or turn a weaver for a day at a neighbouring textile weaving cluster.
The focus is on the quintessential Pollachi experience that connects people with custom-made experiences that take them back to the roots. “We wanted to encourage children to take part in such experiences and get their hands and legs dirty as they dive into farming. We have tied up with J Gnana Saravanan, an award-winning agripreneur of Deesan Organic farm who is passionate about organic farming and sustainable agricult.