STAGE IX STAGE X A rectangular 18 gauge copper sheet of 4” x 25” An artisan then fixes the handles on the lid after the is cut into an ellipse to cover the peephole on the coining of indentations is complete. The final step lid. A thin flat hammer is used to mark an ellipti- in the making of the Bumba is to fit the accessories. cal groove on the piece about a centimeter from For the peephole, a hole is punched on the left side the edge. There is a brass knob mounted in the of the lid for riveting its cover, and opposite ends center of the ellipse and a brass hinge attached of the diameter of the lid are punched with a long on one of the shorter sides of the lid to prevent pointer. injury while in use. The edges of the lid are filed To determine precisely where to fix the handles, and smoothened to prevent injuries during use. the main body of the heater is again measured. It is marked with a thin needle-like rod dipped in In the meantime, another artisan constructed ink, which is inserted into holes in the handles, and the lower parts of the frame using scrap metal marks the location for the rivets. A hexagonal nut is sheets to hold the wire mesh. On top of a larger then placed below the surface where the hole must trapezoidal copper strip, small pieces of copper be drilled to mount the heater. Next, the artisan care- sheet are placed and folded towards the center fully installs the heater on the stake. A hollow punch from both sides. An opening is punched in the and a hammer are used by the artisan to punch out wider end of the strip, then it’s bent at the broad the hole in one shot. end, ready for rivetingAn inward facing hook is formed by the remaining part of the strip. To It is the last accessory to be attached to the heater, support the woven wire mesh that holds the coal and usually the tap is mounted once a customer has on the water heater, these three strips are riveted purchased the heater. The water heater is therefore to the base. In order to save time, the artisans less likely to break while being stored in this way. usually make three to four heaters’ fittings all at 40
A lot of small industries have developed to mech- anize the processes involved in crafting the ves- sels out of necessity due to the strenuous work and time-consuming process of handcrafting. Despite being more efficient in terms of time and achiev- ing greater precision in vessel shape with industrial methods, they lack the touch of an artisan who me- ticulously shapes a vessel to perfection to give it the character of an artisan. A mechanized way for repli- cating coining of indentations on vessels, however, has not yet been developed. 41
TAMBAT PRODUCTS RELIGIOUS OBJECTS There are few products which remain in high de- TAMBAT/COPPER-WARE mand over the years, such as objects used for reli- PRODUCTS gious purposes and for offerings during worship. The products are - The copperware artisans used to benefit Pesh- wa society on economic, religious, and military Niranjan - Small lamp levels. As a result of the decline of Peshwas, ar- Kalshi - Small pot tisans began making items for the commoners Ghanti - Hand held bell such as utensils, storage products, and religious Puja thali - Prayer offerings plate products. KITCHEN UTENSILS Although through technological advancements The ability to conduct heat well makes copper a and cheaper alternatives, their appeal dwindled good choice for utensils used for cooking and serv- with the passage of time.The cultural value of ing food. The use of copper for water storage ves- some of these products continues to make them sels will remain high for a long time. The various highly sought-after. These handcrafted products products that fall into this category are - are slowly returning to the spotlight due to the CLASSIFICATION OF PRODUCTS The below list is categorized by utility and lists the products currently crafted by these artisans. 42
Pimpa - Water storage barrel or container CONTEMPORARY PRODUCTS Kadhai - Deep frying pan Wati - Small bowl In order to meet the varying needs and lifestyles of Ghada - Large water pot people, new sets of products were needed to satis- Tapela - Rice cooking vessels fy the changing needs of the people. Copper-ware Chahadani - A teapot artisans are being introduced to contemporary de- Modak patra - Steamer for sweet dumplings signs by COPPER, a Pune based design studio. Bhagule - Vessel for cooking vegetables This has allowed the craft to flourish. A number of new products, such as the ones below, are de- Collectors have become increasingly interested in signed to suit contemporary lifestyles : miniature versions of most of these kitchen/house- hold products. Candle stands and holders, Lamps, Trays and serveware, Cutlery, Jugs and glasses, Picture HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS frames, Small boxes, Vases, Buntings, Book- marks, home decor etc. The following items have been crafted for both reg- ular and occasional use in its traditional form: The Tambats/ copper-ware artisans are not only known for making the above-mentioned products, Bumba - A traditional type of Water heater they also refurbish old or used copper and brass Ghanghal - Bath water container objects that are then resold in the local market. Uruli - Shallow cooking vessel (now used as a dec- orative bowl) Tarazu - Weighing scales 43
PRODUCT RANGE Bhimthadi Jatra, an event organized by the city gov- For smaller items the price is generally fixed per ernment for promoting local culture and crafts, is piece, whereas for larger articles the price is set one of the most recent exhibitions at which the arti- per kilogram. For example, a 100 to 200 rupees sans set up their stalls. A fair in the heart of the city item can go up to an 1800 rupee item depending will offer stalls and displays of culture from nearby on its size and weight. villages and towns. THE TAMBAT MARKET Tambat Association is a local cooperative of cop- per smiths that have an office where they store their TAMBAT LOCAL MARKET products. In order to store the items, artisans will usually wrap the articles in plastic or wrap the paper Tulsi Baug is one of the major local markets in newspapers, then stash or place them in a sack. where the copperware artisans sell their prod- ucts. The artisans commonly make kitchen uten- INTERNATIONAL MARKETS sils and other household items. Local artisans Through various platforms, Coppre provides the supply their products to local utensil vendors, products crafted by these artisans to the internation- to whom people from the city generally buy the al market. Coppre sells the products crafted by these utensils. artisans on their website and ships them globally. Coppre introduced the products crafted by these ar- Mechanization has decreased the price of many tisans to the international market; One of the largest handcrafted utensils, increasing the sales of markets for their exhibitions and design shows in- replicas, which adversely affect the sales of ternationally is America. Coppre’s recent presence handmade utensils.Recently, the artisans have at the Milan Design Week 2018 allowed its copper decided to produce contemporary lifestyle prod- products to reach the European market as well. ucts, which they sell at exhibitions, through the co-operative they formed among themselves. 44
The market for these products continues to grow. It introduced quality control guidelines to the ar- Australian and Middle Eastern markets, specifically tisans and helped them identify the need and im- UAE and Dubai, are recent markets for these prod- portance of these guidelines. Coppre helped in ucts. developing a new line of contemporary products with a vast array of options.It also allowed them GOVERNMENT/NGO/ BRAND/ to introduce their work to international markets DESIGNER SUPPORT while opening up new markets in India. A livelihood project was launched by INTACH SUSTAINABILITY AND WASTE Pune to ensure the fair remuneration and recogni- MANAGEMENT tion of copperware artisans working in that region. Various programs were run for the welfare of the Copper’s superior thermal and electrical conduc- tambat community as part of the Forbes Marshall tivity, combined with its 100% recyclability make Pune social enterprise.As a result of their efforts, a copper a truly green material perfect for building a large number of women also became involved in the sustainable world. During the making of the cop- craft. Although the artisans engaged in the project, per vessels the sheet scraps are left and they are it was observed that they did not take much pride melted and formed into another sheet. This chain in their work and the items they sold were outdated keeps going on. This is one of their methods of for the current market.In response, the Pune based waste management. design studio Coppre was established by designers and craft enthusiasts to revive the tambat/copper- ware art of the city. The studio was primarily in- tended to assist artisans in promoting their products through design and marketing. 45
MEETING THE TAMBAT ARTISANS Sandeep Lanjekar Age- 62 Speciality- Mathaar Kaam Education- Primary School Experience- Over 30 years Family backgorund- He followed his fathers footsteps. Matital Status- Married, one child Character Sketch- Very cooperative, soft spo- ken, little shy. Navanth Parange Age- 70 Speciality- Mathaar Kaam Education- 6th std Experience- Over 40 years Matital Status- Married, 3 kids Character Sketch- Very work driven, has a great personality. 46
Uday Kalve Age- 71 Speciality- Mathaar Kaam Education- 10th std Experience- Over 40 years Matital Status- Married, 3 kids Character Sketch-Very focused, calm Raju Karde Age- 81 Speciality- Mathaar Kaam Education- Primary Experience- Over 40 years Matital Status- Married Character Sketch-Jolly, peacefull, 47
Nitin Pimple Age- 50 Speciality- Mathaar Kaam Education- 12th std Experience- Over 10 years Matital Status- Married, 2 kids Character Sketch- Shy, Workoholic Arun Patil Age- 56 Speciality- Mathaar Kaam Education- 6th std Experience- Over 40 years Matital Status- Married Character Sketch- Socially involved, passionate, jolly 48
Ganesh Potpide Age- 51 Speciality- Mathaar Kaam Education- Bcom Experience- Over 10 years Matital Status- Married Character Sketch- Generous, Quite 49
CONCLUSION SCENARIO OF TAMBAT CRAFT TODAY By 1993, there were approximately three hundred The majority of beaten work is done by machines and fifty households running copper craft work- in Thailand and Indonesia, but this technology shops. There were 899 households participating in has not yet reached India. Aside from mechani- copper craft, a large number of which were active cal automation and mass production, steel, alu- in copper craft workshops.Approximately eight to minum, and plastic materials are becoming more ten families depend directly on the tambat crafts popular. There has been a decline in skilled labor for their livelihood today. Twenty years ago, there in the tambat community over the past few gen- were sixty families that were involved in the trade. erations, as the younger generation shirks the craft assiduously employed by their forefathers. Prices of copper were 180 per kilogram three to Students who go on to become artists are able to four years ago and are now 460 per kilogram due get their problems solved by the copper artisans. to the price increase of raw materials.The Marwari There is a problem in that these students have a business community has a stronghold on the copper vision different from that of the coppersmith, the trade. They have the funds and machinery to build artisans specialize in mathar kaam and produce factories to produce large utensils. Coppersmiths small copper objects, while not expanding. Cop- of Tambat Aali cannot create these large uten- per is still a popular product today, but people are sils, but they do specialize in beating the strength moving away from the standard types of copper. into these utensils through the use of hammers. 50
Copper craft consists mainly of copper and copper But the diminishing number of Tambats and alloys. Copper sheets can be bought from the mar- ever-shrinking requirement handicraft like ket, and copper ingots, slabs, billets, and scrap can MathaarKaam is now on the verge of disappearing. also be obtained.Coppersmiths also have to work An art form like this represents our ancestral roots, with chemicals including sulphur and other acids but with the diminishing number of clientele, one as part of their raw materials. has to wonder whether we are disconnecting from Traditionally, coppersmiths shape and beat items our pasts. To posses an intangible treasure with us by hand. The tambat craftsmen in Pune are using that has been left behind. Are we unaware or un- machinery to speed up production by standardiz- kind? ing certain objects. Spinning and pressing are done by hand; other tasks are done by machines.This process can be used to produce a wide range of shapes and sizes. A beautiful craft that was once at its pinnacle be- ing a crucial part of a large Empire like the Pesh- was is now facing a danger of extinction. Carrying centuries of traditions bound with tales and affec- tion of the communities is unparallel. times have indeed changed but what shouldn’t change is the unconditional devotion for art and craft because performing art keeps the artisans living and makes us appreciate the human life we fell in love with. . 51
MEET OUR TEAM Juhi Khondey Katyayani Singh Roshni Singhvi Ishika Parmar Tirthika Porwal Aachal Raisoni 52
GLOSSARY 1. Aadhi and Mandli - Metal sinking blocks: 2. Agnau suvarnamaksheenam Rajate dwifalam sate- When the metals strongly heated in fire the lose of gold is nil 3. Akhanda - Whole 4. Amras puri - mango juice and indian bread 5. Amti - a spicy lentil soup 6. Atarkaam - Cutting: 7. Bakhal- government-approved space 8. Bara balutedar - The Bara Balutedar system was a hereditary village servant system of twelve trades used historically in some regions of what is now the Indian state of Maharashtra 9. Bhagule - Vessel for cooking vegetables 10. Bhatti - Open furnace and Electric Blowers: 11. Bidri - The inlay work in copper and silver done by the craftspersons of Bidar 12. Bumba - A traditional type of Water heater 13. Bumba - traditional water heater 14. Burud - People of this caste are recognized by their traditional occupation of bamboo crafting. 15. Chahadani - A teapot 16. Channi - Chisel: 17. Chapati- flat round bread cooked on a griddle. 18. Charyachi hatodi - Crisscross Hammer: 19. Dabaks - Metal hammers: 20. Dakh - Solder 53
GLOSSARY 21. Dhanni - Long hooked rod: 22. Dhoti -the traditional Indian dress consisting of a long piece of unstitched cloth for the lower part of the body worn by men of the Indian subcontinent 23. Falooda - indian version of cold dessert made with noodles 24. Ghada - Large water pot 25. Ghadkaam - Forming: 26. Ghangala - water containers 27. Ghanghal - Bath water container 28. ghanghal/bath water containers are beaded by hand, 29. Ghanti - Hand held bell 30. Hathodi - Hammer: 31. Hexagonal Nut and Pokal Sanap - Hollow punch: 32. Himroo - Himroo is a fabric made of silk and cotton 33. hoti/coal chamber 34. Jodkaam - Joining: 35. Kadhai - Deep frying pan 36. Kalai - Tinning: 37. Kalshi - Small pot 38. Kansi - Metal files: 39. Kasars/ kansya - Sanskrit word for copper 40. Kasba - town 41. Katri - Scissors: 42. Kharvais - Bar anvils: 54
GLOSSARY 44. Kumbhar - A potter is someone who makes pottery 45. Mashru -Mashru is a vibrant and sleek fabric, and often called the master of satin finishes 46. Mathar Chavadshi - Tapered Hammer: 47. Mathar Dumukhi - Double headed Hammer: 48. Mathar Nakhi - Coining Hammer: 49. Matharkam- a typical mosaic brat metal technique 50. Modak patra - Steamer for sweet dumplings 51. Modak- sweet rice dumplings 52. Mogri - Wooden mallet: 53. naala/flue tube 54. Nav-vaari- 9 yard saree 55. Niranjan - Small lamp 56. Panchdhatu - alloy of gold 57. Parvadi - Edged Hammer: 58. Pheta - Marathi name for the distinctive traditional turban worn in Maharashtra 59. Pimpa - Water storage barrel or container 60. pimpa/water filter 61. Pogar - Short pointer: 62. Puja thali - Prayer offerings plate 63. Puranpoli - Puran poli is a sweet flatbread stuffed with a sweet lentil filling made from husked spilt bengal gram (chana dal) and jaggery. Puran poli is a popular Maharashtrian recipe made during Ganesh Chaturthi or Diwali or any other festive occasion. 55
GLOSSARY 64. Rasarnavam -sacred space or temple 65. Rhod/wooden frames 66. Samuchchaya- combination/ assemble 67. Sandshi - Tongs: 68. Shimpis - Shimpi is an umbrella term in India for the community traditionally involved in the business of clothing, tailoring and designing. 69. Shrikhandh- Shrikhand is a Gujarati and Marathi dessert made from sweet- ened strained yogurt. Also known as matho, it is often served as part of a thali or with puris. 70. Sonar- goldsmith 71. Sui - Needle: 72. Tamatkars - copper artisans 73. Tambat - copperware 74. Tapela - Rice cooking vessels 75. Tarazu - Weighing scales 76. Ubaad - Upright anvil: 77. Ujalkaam - Cleaning: 78. Ukhal - Sinking stone: 79. Upanyana - Hindu ritual of initiation 80. Uruli - Shallow cooking vessel 81. Wati - Small bowl 56
BIBLIOGRAPHY https://www.maharashtratourism.net/museums/rajadinkar-kelkar-museum.html https://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/maharashtra/districts/pune.html http://www.paithanisilk.com/Paithaniaspx https://www.punediary.com/html/aga_khan_palaceinfo.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasba_Peth,_Pune http://puneheritage.in/geography/ http://www.virtualpune.com/html/channel/art/HISTORY/html/history.html https://www.studiocoppre.com/pages/craft-environs https://yourstory.com/2014/03/coppre-tambat-craft/amp https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/making-copper-products-in-pune-dastkari-haat-samiti/ wgLSHWQWa_hyIA?hl=en http://heartforart.in/crafts-of-india/metal-crafts/ https://www.pexels.com/search/copper/ 57
BIBLIOGRAPHY http://www.dsource.in/resource/himrod-weaving-aurangabad-maharashtra/ http://dsourcein/sites/default/files/resource/wooden-toysawantwadi/downloads/file/wood- en-toys-sawantwadi https://pmc.gov.in/en/census https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/reminisce-peshwa-dynasty-at-nana-wada/story KWt- Z3LkdbrJ7pWdmLz93hkhtml https://pune.gov.in/culture-heritage/ https://www.indianetzone.com/40/geography_pune_district.html https://www.draindia.com/mumbai/report-shaniwarwada-was-centre-of-indian-politics-ninad-be- dekar-1618383 http://hdl.handle.net/10603/130701 https://www.maharashtratourismnet/culture-lifestyle/index.html 58
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