Lota

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For the city in Chile, see Lota, Chile.

Lota (Urdu: لوٹا, Hindi: लोटा) is a Urdu and Hindi word for a small, usually spherical water vessel of brass or copper used in parts of South Asia^[1]

It is commonly used in daily activities like cooking or cleaning to store or transfer small amounts of liquids like milk or water. It is also used in religious activities like Hindu poojas or for purposes of ablution prior to Namaz. When used for Hindu worships, it is often decorated with sindoor and/or turmeric powder.

Contents 1 Charles Eames and the Lota 2 Other Interesting Facts 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Charles Eames and the Lota

Charles Eames was fascinated by the Lota and considered it significant because it has become, over its evolution, exactly right. The design of the lota addresses the need of retrieving, carrying, storing, and pouring water.^[2] In his The India Report, he expressed a great admiration for the Lota and had the following to say about its design:^[3]

Of all the objects we have seen and admired during our visit to India, the Lota, that simple vessel of everyday use, stands out as perhaps the greatest, the most beautiful. The village women have a process which, with the use of tamarind and ash, each day turns this brass into gold. But how would one go about designing a Lota? First one would have to shut out all preconceived ideas on the subject and then begin to consider factor after factor :

• The optimum amount of liquid to be fetched, carried, poured and stored in a prescribed set of circumstances.
• The size and strength and gender of the hands (if hands) that would manipulate it.
• The way it is to be transported – head, hip, hand, basket or cart.
• The balance, the center of gravity, when empty, when full, its balance when rotated for pouring.
• The fluid dynamics of the problem not only when pouring but when filling and cleaning, and under the complicated motions of head carrying – slow and fast.
• Its sculpture as it fits the palm of the hand, the curve of the hip.
• Its sculpture as compliment to the rhythmic motion of walking or a static post at the well.
• The relation of opening to volume in terms of storage uses – and objects other than liquid.
• The size of the opening and inner contour in terms of cleaning.
• The texture inside and out in terms of cleaning and feeling.
• Heat transfer – can it be grasped if the liquid is hot ?
• How pleasant does it feel, eyes closed, eyes open ?
• How pleasant does it sound, when it strikes another vessel, is set down on ground or stone, empty or full – or being poured into?
• What is the possible material ?
• What is its cost in terms of working ?
• What is its cost in terms of ultimate service ?
• What kind of an investment does the material provide as product, as salvage ?
• How will the material affect the contents, etc., etc. ?
• How will it look as the sun reflects off its surface ?
• How does it feel to possess it, to sell it, to give it ?

– Charles Eames, The India Report

[edit] Other Interesting Facts

In the South-Asian sub-continent, where cleaning with water is the usual method for maintaining personal hygiene after defecation, a lota with a spout is widely used as a container for this purpose.

The word "lota" or the phrase "Bependi ka Lota" (literrally a "lota without a base") is colloquially used in a derogatory manner to refer to a person who frequently switches loyalties. This is because a spherical lota without a base tends to roll over in unpredictable directions when kept on uneven ground. The term "lotacracy" was coined in Pakistan to describe politicians who frequently switched parties.

Provisionally used as the term "sajed" many years ago, Urdu language was changed and suited for further fluency. What we then knew as "sajed" is now known as a "lota".^[4]

In many parts of Bangladesh, the term "bodna" is used to describe it.

[edit] References

1. ^ Definition of Lota. Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
2. ^ Demetrios, Eames (February 9, 2002). An Eames Primer. Universe Publishing. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
3. ^ Eames' India Report. National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, India. Retrieved on March 22, 2007.
4. ^ citation needed

[edit] External links

• A Very Serious Web Poll A man trying to figure out how people use a Lota.