Metal

Where would this earth be without metals existing on it's surface? Metal is used for a variety of purposes since vedic times, have been moulded into fabulous religious objects, ritualistic items and objects of utility. The literary writings, especially the Rig Veda and other archaeological evidences clearly establish the art of bronze casting to be more than 5000 years old.

The most frequently required metals are bronze, copper, brass. Metal is not only durable but also strong.These excellent physical properties make metals so durable and popular.and also their highly beneficient and spiritual qualities . According to the Ayurvedic scriptures, metals like brass and copper are known to possess health-giving and healing properties and hence their extensive usage in the making of utensils for cooking and water storage.

In southern India, images of bronze are believed to radiate the energy of the divine and so the images of divine immortality are largely cast in bronze. Some of the fine cast icons are to be found in the south of India, in centres such as Mysore (Karnataka), Palghat (Kerala), Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) and Tiruchirapalli, Madurai & Salem (Tamil Nadu). The most noteworthy is the figure of 'Nataraja' - Lord Shiva in the celestial dance pose.

Bronze with its tarnish-resistant, soft surface and the old gold tint, is used in a variety of household articles, especially in cooking dishes and eating plates. The 'kansari' metalworkers of Orissa cast an exquisite range of bronze vessels. Kerala - the home of bronze, is famed for 'urlis'- wide cooking vessels and a range of elegantly shaped tumblers. In northern India, Uttar Pradesh, is predominant in the large-scale manufacture of utilitarian metalware.

The development in the craftsmanship and in technology have led to many a technique for the ornamentation of metals like 'Repousse' ( or embossing work) of Jaipur; 'Bidri' (or demascening with Zinc as the base) of Karnataka; Tarkashi (or metal wire inlay work) of Uttar Pradesh - each producing a variety of aesthetic metalware like jewellery boxes, betel boxes, ashtrays, mirror frames, goblets, ashtrays, spooons and the most popular - lamps

Lamps are the most exquisite of the decorative metalware . As a symbol of 'Agni' - the fire god, lamps have always been deemed auspicious. Especially famous are the lamps of the south, the popular ones being 'deepalakshmi' lamp with a female statue carrying in the cup of her hand the bowl for oil and wick and 'kuthu-vilakku' having a five-wicked lamp bowl perched on a slim column and a pedestal base.

While acrylic and fibreglass may be the happening materials in the West, where would India be without its metal buckets and tawas (iron girdle)? Imagine no baths and no rotis! The clang-clang of blacksmiths and metalworkers is a distinct part of the curious sounds that make the rhythm of rural and small town India. Various nomadic tribes like the gadiya lohars of Rajasthan make iron implements and utensils for daily use while master carvers specialize in idols, lamps and curios. If you happen to visit any state emporium, you’ll find that each state has its own tradition of metalcraft. The treatment, as it were, determines the final outcome.
For example, the tribals of Madhya Pradesh make delightfully quirky figures of tribal deities, animals, swings and trishuls (tridents, a symbol of the Hindu deity Shiva) by the dhokra or lost-wax process (see Arts & Crafts of Madhya Pradesh for details). In their simplicity, the artisans work swiftly, spontaneously and without the encumbrance of a pre-meditated design. In sharp contrast emerges the more refined and studied work of master craftsmen who first cast the image and then chisel, file and polish it carefully.
But this is not the end of metalcraft. Now comes the tricky and delicate task of decorating metal surfaces. Here are some of the techniques you are likely to spot while buying metalware.

Special Shopping Destinations:
Mysore (Karnataka), Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), Tiruchirapalli & Madurai (Tamil Nadu), Palghat (Kerala), Jaipur (Rajasthan)