The tradition of ceramic art stands the vicissitudes in its course. has withstood until today and is drawing great enthusiasm from art lovers and critics alike. In the present thesis, the study of this art form among the chalcolithic cultures in India is made, under two broad categories: 'Urban Chalcolithic cultures represented mainly by the Mature Harappan culture including its predecessors like the Hakra Wares culture and the Early Harappan culture which led to the emergence of city-states and the succeeding degenerated Lafe Harappan culture and the Rural Chalcolithic cultures represented by the agrarian village settlements
The most important household object, across cultures, was pottery. Each culture had its own. distinct pottery tradition and style. The pottery painting customs continued unabatedly across the timeframe of various periods. The artistic marvel of the chalcolithic artist is reflected in the pottery paintings with an array of geometric, floral, and faunal motifs. Among the other works of art, mention may be made of clay and terracotta figurines of animals, birds, reptiles, etc. The paintings on the pottery were of varied themes ranging from simple geometrical patterns to complex floral and faunal motifs and narrations or story-telling The execution also varied from stylistic renditions to simplistic and naturalistic representations. The color, usually in contrast to the surface of the medium, was selected to convey the underlying message. The paintings of pottery with thematic values were not wanted during the Chalcolithic period. The stories of the 'deer and the thirsty crow', and 'the crow and the cunning fox later codified in the tales of Panchatantra had their origin during the Harappan period as these tales are painted beautifully on the pottery from Lothal and Bhirrana.
The author has dealt in depth with the findings from different Chalcolithic culture sites in the Indian scenario and the extensive research has brought forth an interesting reading and study subject. The comparison between various forms of artistic representations in two and three dimensions presents a rare type of study about Chalcolithic art in various media.