Introduction of craft: -
Bell metal is dominantly used
for making cooking ware, which is now supplemented with some decorative items.
Orissa is the preserve of the ‘Kansari’ community, experts at this particular
craft. The metal is so called because the sound that it generates on hitting is
similar to the sound of a bell. This also explains why this metal is used to
make ‘ghantas’ or bells for temples. The reason for traditionally making
cooking ware and other kitchen ware from the bell-metal alloy is that this
alloy has several medicinal properties, which the food or water kept in them
acquires. These medicinal properties are derived from copper and zinc which are
dominantly present in the bell-metal alloy. It is believed that regular use of
these vessels can have long term effects towards preventing and relieving
several ailments like, gastric, diabetics, allergies etc. The artisans who make
bell-metal cooking ware also make items of brass and copper, however,
bell-metal ware remain their specialty. It is interesting to note that there is
strong sense of community among these artisans, they believe in the notion of
sharing resources rather than competing for them, the artisans in each village
specializes of only a particular item. An artisan who makes bowls is of course
equipped to make plates and vice versa. However, they prefer to specialize in
one particular item and experiment and innovate with shapes, textures and
finishes.
Craft tradition
Bell-metal has a great craft
tradition which can be linked to Lord Jagannath residing at Puri. The knowledge
of making bell-metal products has been passed down from generation to
generations. Bell metal, which is dominantly a combination of copper and zinc,
is considered to be a ‘shudh’ or pure metal; this explains why utensils used at
the Jagannath temple are only bell-metal utensils. It is interesting to note
that when a girl is married of this community, bell-metal ware forms an
important part of her trousseau. The local name for bell-metal is ‘kansa’ and
the artisans who, before sunrise, give shape to molten bell-metal in order to
make attractive utensils by their own hands through exhaustive manual labour
are known as ‘kansari’. There is a reason why the kansari people start working
much before the sunrise. The process of heating and beating the metal to make
utensils generates so much heat that it becomes impossible for the craftsmen to
carry on the work after mid-morning. Traditionally, kansari people stay close
to water bodies, as in the earlier days boat seemed the only mode of
transportation. Also, there is so much of heat generated that water was needed
essentially to cool down.
Objective of the D&TDW Projects:-
1. Diversification
of products through design and technical inputs for the target market.
2. Development
of prototype as per the trend and market study.
3. Upgradation
of skills of the artisans through the Design and Technical intervention.
Profile of the Craft practicing cluster at Jagmohan, Ganjam
1. There
are four groups of artisans in the area of Jagmohan, Ganjam.
2. More
than 100 no of artisans here are involved in this craft.
3. They
use traditional skill to develop product, heat and beat process on bell metal.
4. They
use basic tools used by the artisans.
5. Production
depends on local market requirements and from the traders.
6. Most
of product they make is used for the house hold requirement, Decorative and
ritual purpose, in the Cluster.
7. At
present basic income level of the artisans is Rs, 150 to 200 per day.
Background of craft and artisans at Jagmohan, Ganjam
The bell metal crafts is being
practiced in Jagmohan village, at ganjam form many generations. More than 100
artisans in the village are involved in producing only the bell metal products.
Here artisans are depending on this crafts for their lively hood. Their daily
average income is Rs 150 to Rs 200 on production basis and the older and
current generation was quit satisfied with the process and stage of activity
which has been carried from past generations. They made few utensils, water vessels
and some product for rituals. Financier (mahajan) who provides them bell metal
and other raw materials. According to
the order from mahajan or the traders the artisans produce the products and
sell to the same on a monthly or weekly basis payment. However no
entrepreneurship found in this cluster, so that cannot make any profit from
their crafted product. They are depending upon big traders or mahajan of
village.
Process of making products in cluster
Availability of raw materials: - Bell metal is made from a combination of copper,
zinc, tin, iron and mercury. 1kg of copper is mixed with 270-300gms of tin,
50gms of zinc, 5gms of iron and a pinch of mercury. The metals are mixed
together and worked into ingots. The craftsmen buy their raw-materials from the
local ‘mahajan’ in a bulk (approx 15-20kgs) which lasts them for 3-4 days.
Tools and equipment: -
1.
Hathoda metal
and wooden (hammer)
2.
Indenting
tools
3.
Chisel for
finishing
4.
Files
5.
Wooden frame with
a round stone hand pulling turning machine
Process of making
product:-
1.
After the
different kinds of metals are mixed together and worked into ingot, the ingots
are heated to make them flexible, and are then beaten into the desired shape;
the size of the ingots differs with different products. The process of heating
the metal alloy and beating it further into shape continues till the desired
shape and size have been achieved.
2. The
metal is beaten with an iron hammer that is usually between 500-700gms in
weight. Usually 4 ingots are taken one of top of the other in a set for the
process of heating and beating the metal and later taken out one after the
other. After the required shape has been created, the bell metal item is left
to cool. The colour of the ware is sooty black.
3. Thereafter,
coal-tar is applied at the bottom of the vessel and is then stuck onto the
polishing machine .Though the outside is most often left a natural sooty black,
the inside surface of the cooking ware is scratched on the polishing machine
and the black coating is peeled off. A metallic finish, a warm yellow-gold
colour is thus achieved.
 |
| Hammering the ingot to get desire shape |
 |
| After polishing hammering for minor shape error |
 |
Filling the edges of the products |
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