India, Aug. 21 -- Once regarded as purely functional, ceramics are now defining cafes, homes, and interiors with a language of restraint and permanence. From hand-thrown mugs to glazed plates, clay has become central to how we eat, decorate, and experience the everyday, says Sakshi Priya

Ceramic ware has returned to prominence with a quiet confidence. Once considered purely utilitarian, it now defines the character of many tables, cafes, and interiors. A hand-thrown cup with a subtle glaze, a plate whose surface bears the faint trace of a potter's wheel, such objects have become integral to the way food is served and spaces are styled.

In cafes across cities, the choice of tableware is no longer incidental. A cappuccino in a heavy clay ...