In India, the emphasis has been on the chasteness of the line to lend dignity to the form. Above all, it has to be superbly functional. Pottery used for festive purposes is particularly gay. The ones used for storing grain or water is huge. There are immense variety of objects specially produced for the occasion like lamps for Diwali, toys for Dussehra, pots for seedling at Sankranti and the gaily-painted pots for marriages.
Common pottery comes in a bewildering profusion.
Being functional, each has a special use. The differences between two pots, which superficially look alike, are subtle. Besides their normal use, some products are also used for decoration as well. These are termed as Karigari pottery. Ashtrays, flower-vases, tea sets, paperweights, decorative animal figures are a few examples of Karigari pottery.