``The relationship of man with clay is ancient. The aesthetic sense of humans converted clay into the most beautiful pieces of earthenware and ornaments. In the process, he also became self-reliant. Today, clay is increasingly being replaced by glittering and expensive materials.''

Pungaliya's sensitiveness towards our own culture, our land and its own people impelled her to work out an equation of her own with the substance, she feels, symbolises a love for Mother Earth. ``It's a medium close to my heart and has enormous potential to express feelings and emotions,'' she clarifies.

Pungaliya learnt pottery and sculpture from Bal Wad's Art Beat art school in Bhosale Nagar. She also attended a one-month workshop in Bangalore, where the idea of making clay jewellery struck her. And making delicate designs in clay is not an easy job. ``Yes, it's tedious. First, I sketch the designs, then I mould them in fine clay, which I get from a potter in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. Some of my simple working tools come from the kitchen. The raw shapes are then baked in a kiln. The time depends on the kind of kiln used, if it's wood-fire, it takes more time, a gas-fire or electric kiln takes less time,'' she explains.

After the clay has been fashioned into the required shape, Pungaliya uses add-ons like beads, colourful doris to complete the ethnic choker and ear-rings. The entire look is attractive and earthy. Pungaliya, who has done her post-graduation in social sciences from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, feels great concern for the continuation of old traditional crafts. ``Craftsmen in rural areas make a living of their creative talents. But their dignity of labour is lost because, due to their circumstances, they are forced to underprice their products, as they are unaware of markets in essentially urban environments,'' she says.

``I felt I wanted to express myself to counteract the mainstream culture.'' Pungaliya feels people have lost touch with their self-expression. Her other activities also revolve around the same idea. She is part of a support group for the Narmada Bachao Andolan in the city. And is involved with other environmental projects. Eight years ago, she was part of a group which started a school called Aksharnandan. ``It's a Marathi-medium school and again it stands apart from the mainstream, the accent being on learning without competition,'' she says.

Pungaliya's unique line of jewellery can also be seen at Either Or in Sohrab Mansion, R B M Road, besides the artiste's home, where she also works on orders.

Dancing queen
Kaveri Agashe's expressive eyes were made for abhinaya.

The young dancer took her training in Kathak under the guidance of Shama Bhate, and has attended workshops conducted by celebrities like Pandit Birju Maharaj and Rohini Bhate and tabla maestro Suresh Talwalkar. It is no wonder then that the graceful dancer has been honoured with a national scholarship from the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Department of Culture, for 1998-2000. Agashe started learning dance at a very young age and in a couple of years it became clear to her guru that she could carve a career for herself in dance.

``My parents were also inclined and so I've concentrated on it ever since. I also worked as a child artiste in Smita Talwalkar's serial Rau when I was in the sixth standard, and for Bal Chitravani, but now I refuse offers for film or serial offers. Due to this, I've never suffered from stage fright.'' ``Shamatai has been the force behind me. We come close to following the gurukul concept at her dance academy, Nadrup. Before a performance also she never raises any tensions, she's very cool,'' says Agashe. Agashe's proficiency is proved time and again at the annual Kathak Mahotsavs held in the city, the Pune Festival and other dance melas.

According to Agashe, one of her memorable performances was her solo performance at Raindrops, a festival organised by Samved at NCPA, Mumbai. ``It was a performance choreographed solely on sitar music,'' says Agashe. Durgam Trinetram Bhaje, choreographed by her guru, Shama Bhate, where she was the main dancer, was another performance, for its strong accent on the different avatars of Durga. Agashe has just completed her B Com from Pune University and now prefers to concentrate her energies in dance. She has enrolled for her MA in Music and Dance at Pune University. Here's one dancer one must watch out for.