Hello, I am Aahiree, and I am obsessed with clay. A lump of clay might look unappealing or uninteresting, but your hands can turn it into something useful and beautiful. It can be solid, it can be gooey. You can break it down, beat it up, recycle it, repurpose it. It can be made and remade again. All it needs is patience, care, and focus. That’s how the magic happens.
I always wanted to build something of my own. I never wanted life to pass me by in a nine-to-five routine, but after university, I ended up working in the non-profit sector. Even then, I never forgot my love for pottery. After five years of full-time jobs, I took the plunge by enrolling myself in a professional pottery course. Once the course was done, I set up Karu Pottery Studio with the support of my family and friends.
My art teacher, sculptor Dipankar Karmakar, introduced me to pottery when I was a teenager. In late 2024, I attended a two-month course at Slow Pottery taught by Nikita Dewar, before setting up my own studio in February 2025. As my studio grew, so did my eagerness to level-up. In March 2026, I went back to Slow Pottery for a course on ceramic surfaces by Eva Lys Champagne.
At Karu, I make my own art, teach students, conduct experiential sessions, and collaborate with other organizations to host workshops.
When I’m not doing any of these things (which is rare), you can find me singing, driving, drinking coffee, and hanging out with my friends and family, or my two dogs.
In Bengali, the word ‘Karu’ refers to a creator or artist originating from the word 'Karukarjo'. As a studio, Karu Pottery is all about celebrating the joy of creation. Each piece we make, each event we host, and each class we teach is rooted in this joy.
Karu has big dreams, but I never want it to fall into the competition trap. Karu is all about nurturing the craft of pottery, to give it the space and time it needs. At Karu, respect for the art of repetition and consistent practice shape everything else. Understanding the nuances of the materials and processes that lead to each piece is essential.
The journey towards this understanding challenges you and humbles you, but it is also one of the most rewarding experiences you can have.
When you enter Karu Pottery Studio, you’re entering a small, cosy corner of the city where you’re welcome to let yourself just be. You'll find some breezy music playing on the speakers, me and a few other potters quietly working on our wheels, or glazing what we’ve already made. You might also spot a visitor admiring the newly-made pieces on the shelves, which will soon run out of space.
You too become part of Karu when you come with curiosity and a genuine interest in learning pottery. There’s plenty of room for mistakes and mess-ups, as long as you take the process seriously. And who knows, you might become obsessed with clay too!
