Clay is the basic raw material used for making terracotta idols. Sand and matti-clay is mixed with water to prepare the dough. Potter’s wheel is main tool used to make the basic shapes of the idol. The earlier generation potter’s wooden wheel is now replaced with the cement wheel as it is more stable. This wheel is rotated with the help of bamboo stick which is locally called Veduru karra. Some other tools such as pen, metal blade and small iron sticks are used to do the decoration work on the clay bodies. A semicircular piece of plastic is used fortexturingthe surface of the object. A mushroom shaped stone-known as Raayi locally which is used to beat the inner surface of objects like pot, vessels etc. where in the Salapa-wooden bat is used to beat the outer surface of the pot. Wet cotton cloth- known as Paata locally is used to keep the lump of the clay, as it keeps the clay wet for a longer period. This cloth is also used to clean and smoothen the surface of the object before motif work. A wooden board is used to prepare the thin rolls of clay which are later used to decorate the animal objects such as horse and elephant. The closed furnace which isbuiltwith bricks is used to burn the finished products. Locally procured coconut stems are dried and used to produce the heat.
