Kohima: In a small Wokha studio, Renchumlo Murry is transforming raw black clay into vessels that bridge the gap between ancestral heritage and modern craftsmanship. As the founder of Khetsen Pottery, Murry has turned a long-held passion into a thriving enterprise that sustains local traditions while providing essential employment opportunities.
Murry, who holds a horticulture background, discovered her calling for pottery through family stories about her grandmother. This connection to her roots inspired her to pursue formal training at the Artsy Naga School of Fine Arts in Chümoukedima. She describes the emotional weight of her work, stating, "Pottery is more than a hobby or profession for me. It is a way of honouring my grandmother's legacy and carrying forward a tradition that has been passed down through generations."
The studio name, Khetsen, translates to made by hand in the local Lotha dialect. Each piece requires weeks of meticulous labor, from sourcing clay at traditional sites to the final kiln firing at 1,000 degrees Celsius. Murry acknowledges the high stakes of this process, noting that pieces can sometimes crack during firing, which she describes as truly heartbreaking.
Beyond production, the studio has become a hub for rural development. By employing local women and school dropouts, Murry is proving that traditional crafts can offer sustainable livelihoods. While early growth was hindered by limited access to capital and markets, Instagram has proven to be a vital tool, with roughly 80 per cent of orders now arriving via the platform.
Looking forward, Murry aims to expand her reach into national and international markets. Her ultimate goal remains deeply rooted in community impact. She envisions the studio as a space where the younger generation can find dignity and opportunity through the preservation of a dying, yet vital, artistic practice.
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