Brass metal work of Moradabad
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Over two thousand years ago, India succeeded in producing an alloy of basic metals which looked almost exactly like gold. This was achieved by fusing zinc with copper while that the percentage of zinc was strictly maintained between ten and twelve percent. The wonderful new metal, which appeared to be gold was, in fact, bras. According to archeological records, brass was popular in India since the third century BC and most of the images of gods and goddesses were made of a five metal alloy called panchdhatu, which consisted of copper, zinc, gold, silver and lead.
Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh is the largest and most active centre for the production of brass, and while the work involves the use of mechanized tools in its various processes, it is considered a part of the handicrafts industry because of its fine hand engraving. Established almost 400 years ago, it was initially practices by
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the thateras. Later, Muslim families settled in Moradabad and introduced both improved tools and Persian designs. The greatest artistic input was provided during the reign of Bahadur Shah Zafar. British rule promotes highly ornate and beautifully executed art ware in foreign markets. The entire production cycle from melting and casting to joining, scraping, engraving and polishing takes about four to six weeks. The artisans who do the casting are called bharatias.
Engraving is the most refined and artistic of all the processes and consists of various styles known as japani, mehrani, chikan, bidar and burma bidar. Lacquer colors in deep red, green, blue, yellow, black and white are filed in the engraving. Plates, bowls, ash trays, boxes and other such articles in multicolored or monochrome designs on the surface heighten the golden sheen of polished brass and make excellent decorative metalware.
Moradabad has over 600 units crafting brass ware for the export and home markets. Brass objects are made either by casting, moulding or sheet metal forming processes. A number of ornamentation techniques are being used- engraving, embossing, filling in colored lac in engraved areas, etching, tinning and electroplating. Horn and bone carving is done in Moradabad and Sambhal. Rampur is also well known for its handmade knives.
Brass is sandcast and the various levels of production are handled by specialized craftsmen. The dhaliyas, metal caste, casts the pieces, while the sheet metal workers and engravers have their own workshops. The entire process of production along with ornamentation usually takes 4 to 6 weeks.
Kalamkari, Urdu for engraving and pen work, is done with controlled strokes of the thapi, mallet, on fine pointed chisels. The craftsman engraves from memory unless a new design is asked for. The engraving is shallow, called naqqashi or sada kalam, and deep engraving, called khudai or sia kalam. In khudai the designs are intricate, and the chased depressions are filled in with colored lac. The lac sticks are heated and applied to the metal. The design gleams in golden tracery against the translucent jewel-colored lac. Naqqashi is sometimes done on a tinned surface. Traditional styles are mostly floral arabesques. Ornamentation, however, is limited to decorative and dowry items since domestic utensils are scoured with mud or ash after use. A traditional product that needs special mention is the paandaan, made by casting heavy-gauge sheet metal, either copper or brass.
Image Courtesy: Handmade in India, M P Ranjan and Aditi Ranjan, 2007, COHANDS |
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