Different Metal Craft Practices

Since the Indus Valley Civilization, India has been practising metal crafts. The finding of the Dancing Girl proved that Indian subcontinent residents had long been metal-moulding specialists. Bronze statues from the Chola dynasty and an iron pillar from Ashoka’s era at Mehrauli in Delhi are examples of metal craftsmanship that may still be found today.

Metal Crafts Across India

Himachal Pradesh

• In Kinnaur District, the metal items are used for religious occasions, with an innovative coalescence of designs of Hinduism and Buddhism
• The thunderclap or vajra theme is normally seen on kettles and jars
• Organic product bowls with a silver or metal stand planned like a lotus, petition wheels engraved with the ‘om mani padme hum’ mantra, conch trumpets, miniature shrines and flasks are also made
• Many of these forms come from Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu temples

Uttar Pradesh

•  Teamwork is essential in the craft of metalwork. For instance, in Lucknow, the creation of a plated hookah base includes a few distinctive particular abilities, each rehearsed by an alternate specialist, for example-

• Sunar makes the object
• Chitrakar or nakashiwalla shows the surface design
• Chatera etches away the downturn in the plan expected to hold the polish
• Minakar carries out the actual enamelling
• Jilasaz polishes the object
• Mulamasaz might build it
• Kundanaz sets the stones needed in the design

Rajasthan, Hyderabad, and Punjab

• Koftgari is the term for a kind of silver and gold damascene work produced in these areas
• It is also found in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala
• The koftgari interaction is less difficult and less tedious.
• The whole surface of the item is first etched in something like two distinct bearings to roughen it
• Then, at that point, the wire (either silver or gold or both) is pounded onto it in complex examples
• When the assembling of arms and defensive layers had stopped, specialists started to apply this enhancing procedure to plate, boxes, and different articles

Andhra Pradesh

•  Bidri is an inlay technique named after its place of origin, Bidar, Andhra Pradesh
• Inlay (mainly silver) is done to objects cast in a relatively soft alloy of zinc, copper, and lead
• After the trim work is finished, the ground is stained dark utilising synthetic substances, along these lines making a splendid contrast to the silver decoration

Gujarat

• Among the numerous ritualistic articles made of metal are large temple-bells

• The popular sanctuary chime on the Girnar Hill weighs 240 kg
• Another well known thing is the common low square stool and armchairs

Kerala

•  Lost wax process is used to make Uruli (wide-mouthed cooking vessel, with flat or curved rims)

• A monster cauldron called varpu, which is wonderful in structure, is utilised in sanctuaries for making prasad to feed thousands of devotees
• Metal tumblers for drinking are also a part of metal craft

Tamil Nadu

• Nachiarkoil in Thanjavur District is an important bell-metal centre
• This is because of the presence of light earthy coloured sand called miscreant on the banks of the Cauvery River, ideally suited for making moulds
• Items made by casting are tumblers, vases, water -containers, plain and decorated ornamental spittoons, food cases, bells, candle-stands, kerosene lamps, picnic carriers, and a great variety of oil lamps

Types of Metal Craft

Bronze Arts and Crafts

Copper and iron are known to be the earliest non-ferrous metals used by mankind. Tin and these two metals were combined to make bronze.

Many bronze casting processes are described in the Matsya Purana.

Later studies, such as Rasaratnakara, focused on metal purity and distillation of Zinc.

Pempharti

Pempharti Sheet metal art is popular in Telangana’s Warangal district, particularly in Pembharti.

During the Kakatiyas Empire, this kind of painting was frequently used on chariots and temples.

The design is now used on brass vases, containers, and plaques.

Dhokra

The lost-wax casting process is known as Dhokra, and the Dancing Girl from Mohenjo Daro is the oldest lost-wax statue currently known.

The well-known Dhokra metal craft is predominantly done in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh these days.

The insides of the sculptures are often filled with clay, but they are frequently made from metal scrap.

Conclusion

Metal crafts are widely practised in India, with artists specialising in the art of their distinct areas. Metal crafts of various forms are prevalent in various sections of the country. Metals are commonly linked with toughness, sturdiness, and long-lasting utility. The usage of metals conjures up images of buildings, enormous factories, and a tremendous resistance. Metals, on the other hand, are ductile, which means they may be bent, pushed, or hammered without breaking or shattering.