Broken yet beautiful: Find meaning in the art of mending

At a time when everything is geared towards speed and perfection, Kintsugi is drawing people into a mindful way of creating. In studios across the city, participants are breaking ceramic pieces, piecing them back together with chrome, turning damage into design. Over time, the activity has gradually become reflective. This weekend, engage, pause, and perhaps try your hands at a practice where imperfections are not hidden,
but highlighted.

Art meets healing
Kintsugi’s appeal lies more in emotion than aesthetics. “People are tired of perfection and quick fixes. They’re looking for meaning,” says Rivu Bhattacharya, who conducts workshops. In Kolkata, where memory shapes everyday life, the idea of repair over replacement resonates deeply. As Suvam Moitra, city head of a collective that hosts art events says, “Kintsugi is also something you process,” blending creativity with introspection, inviting people to pause and find meaning in mending what’s broken.

Slow art for fast-paced lives
The audience spans young professionals navigating burnout,
students, couples, and creatives. Many arrive expecting a craft workshop and leave with something more personal. The process –breaking, repairing, and tracing cracks in gold – moves from release to reflection to creation. It’s “therapeutic without trying too hard to be,” as Rivu notes. Workshops remain slow and guided, using accessible materials that make it easy to continue at home. “The real challenge isn’t skill, it’s patience,” he adds, as participants carry back not just objects, but new perspectives.

Core basics

• Broken ceramic or porcelain pieces (bowls/plates work best)
• Clear 5-minute epoxy (acts as the glue)
• Gold/metallic powder (mica, brass, or liquid gold leaf)
• Fine paint brushes (size 0–3)
• Mixing tools (toothpicks, sticks, disposable plates/cups)
• Protective gloves (latex/nitrile)
• Sandpaper or blade (to clean excess glue)
• Thick cloth/pillowcase (for controlled breaking)
• Clear varnish/sealer (for a shiny finish)
• Plaster/filler (for gaps)
• Acetone/alcohol

Embracing imperfections
Manisha Changlani, who mainly hosts pottery workshops, approaches Kintsugi as a meditative practice. She says, “Apart from group sessions, I also offer intimate, one-on-one sessions where people can slow down and immerse themselves in the process.” Participants intentionally shatter ceramic pieces and reassemble them. She highlights that “every crack is different,” and believes even flawed pieces “turn into something beautiful.”

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