Bell Metal — The unexplored craft of Assam

 

Assam is a state of mineral resources. Assam is primarily known for its 150 years old tea industry which is an integral place in the economy. It is industrially backward as it has few agro-based and mineral-based industries. Although, Assam has maintained a rich tradition of various crafts for more than two thousand years. Major Traditional crafts of Assam are Cane and Bamboo craft, bell metal and brass craft, silk and cotton weaving, toy and mask making, pottery and terracotta work, Woodcraft, musical instruments, jewelry making, etc. Metal craft of Assam is the second-largest and the oldest craft after handloom and textile in Assam. Bell Metal craft has been getting socio-cultural and religious importance over centuries. Sarthebari, a place located in Barpeta district, Assam is home to Bell Metal Industry.

This craft dates back to the 7th century. Craft existed from the time of Kumarbhaskarvarman, the king of the Varman Dynasty. When the Kumar of eastern India gifted drinking vessels to Harshavardhana of Kannauj. It also traced through the scriptures, where it’s written that a pair of ‘Bhortal’ or cymbal, a musical instrument was gifted to Hieuen Tsang, an eminent Chinese scholar during his visit to India and Kamrup. Another belief is that during the period of Ahoms that the industry got highlighted, as special interest was taken by Swargadeo Siva Singha Ahoms king was the most notable. During the Ahom regime, the bell-metal industry in Assam was in its golden period as the king gave incentives to the artisans engaged in Sarthebari bell-metal industry. During that time Artisans used to make lovely-looking Sarai, (a platter or tray), hookah, Temi-bata (small lime container), Pikdani, (spittoon), Bhog-Jara (water vessel with a spout), etc. The artisans have also made bell-metal cannons for battlefield use.

Artisans Making Bell-Metal product

About 40% of the people of this village are involved in this craft and which is the primary source of livelihood for them. Bell Metal is made from a mixture of brass and iron, can be easily found in every household of Assam. The raw material is often imported from Kolkata and even countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. The craftsmen who are referred to as Kahar or Orja are still using old techniques and tools for burning and shaping the metal. The craft requires physical strength and skills. Each artisan is specialized in a particular piece of work and makes only a specific part of the products. The primary items of brass are the kalah (water pot), sarai (a platter or tray mounted on a base), dish, bati (bowl), lota (water pot with a long neck) and glasses.

Artisan selling Bell-Metal Products

Craft is the cultural tradition of Assam, which has passed from one generation to the other. Assamese use these utensils every day for dinner as food kept in the Metal containers remains fresh for a long time. During traditional functions like the Bihu dance or for gifts to guests of honor are also often made from bell-metal. In the Puja of Shakta, the worship Buddhist people use bell metal utensils as a holy tool of worship. Even in the Marriage of girls, the family gift her bell metal utensils. Bell metal is also found in other parts of states like West Bengal and Chhattisgarh but the structure of the alloy in Assam consists of 78% copper and 22% tin which makes it different from another region. Artisans also use scrap bell metal as raw material with copper and tin. Some of the design produced on items is pan-kata(slant lines),fish-scale and dot with circle patterns. Several changes have been made in traditional designs like new and bigger leaf structures and flower motifs, butterfly, peacock and folded hands are carved in pan-kata. Artisans also produce musical instruments called cymbal in Sarthebari which has high demand in the international market. The demand for these instruments is in Buddhist religious rituals in Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri-Lanka, Thailand, etc.

The craft is facing many challenges like the supply of raw materials, lack of awareness outside the state (poor marketing), lack of infrastructure available and no trademark of geographic indication. Artisans are buying raw material from the middleman who has controlled the raw material market. Also, abundantly available cheaper objects made with aluminum, plastic, etc., slowly engulfing the entire cottage industry market is another threat faced by the craftsmen of Sarthe Bari. The government has taken efforts to sustain this craft but still, there is a need for lots of improvement like traditional and modern design, easy loans, proper marketing facilities and capacity building to the artisans. These traditional metal utensils are an integral part of Assamese culture. Craft is distant from all other metal craft and livelihood for the artisans but still facing many issues. The government, design institute and NGOs should take initiatives to uplift the cluster to make this craft sustainable and known to the world.