Three artisans working on copper vessels at their workshops in Tambat Ali. Photo courtesy: Sagar Shiriskar.
Three artisans working on copper vessels at their workshops in Tambat Ali. Photo courtesy: Sagar Shiriskar.
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The artisans of Tambat Ali

A community of coppersmiths in Pune keeps an endangered craft alive.
Sagar Shiriskar and Manvi Gautam

Sagar Shiriskar’s work spans film, video, photography and installations. His work can be seen on www.sagarshiriskar.com. Manvi Gautam is a freelance writer, researcher and archivist based in New Delhi. 

In the old lanes of Tambat Ali, a community of copper workers or 'tambats' have been crafting copper and brass from the time of the Peshwa's reign. As recently as a decade ago, there were many more coppersmiths working in the Tambat Ali area of Kasba Peth, Pune, which now faces a stark shortage of craftspeople. The workshops that once resonated with the sound of hundreds of hammers, now see far fewer artisans plying their trade; so much so that larger orders can scarcely be fulfilled.

Walking around Tambat Ali, people are struck by the history and materiality that the objects carry with them. Some of the tools and equipment used by the artisans are over 50 years old. From the point of shaping copper sheets into the desired shape, to its finishing, polishing and lacquering – the artisans' tools are indispensable to them. Among these is the khod kharwai, the copper artisans' primary tool, which is a wooden seat with a long cast iron shaper that helps to give each piece its signature hand-beaten detail. This is a trademark tool, passed down the generations, and continues to be used without replacement.

Mathar kaam or beaten work, is the distinguishing feature of the tambat craft. While machines have taken over the shaping and polishing process over the years, the signature hammer-tone texture and finish can only be achieved by hand. Hand-beaten depressions strengthen the vessel and enhance its surface by giving it a mirror-like appearance. This artistry and techniques are still safe from the onslaught of mechanisation. This work is also done on old copper vessels and utensils to give them a new lease of life, making it a practice in sustainability.

In order to ensure that the craft is kept alive, the artisans are willing to dedicate their time to training younger generations. While they believe that the inherited skill may be picked up in a few days, they also know that it takes years of dedication to become a skilled karigar or artisan. Practice and patience are prerequisites, for it is a precise craft perfected with time. This is often a deterring factor for the younger generation, resulting in the fast-dwindling number of karigars over the years. Some artisans also say they would rather have their children pursue other professions than follow in their footsteps due to the diminishing earnings from the trade. The increasingly unsteady demands have resulted in fluctuating incomes, and when the effort put in is weighed against returns from the trade, very few young apprentices are willing to dedicate themselves to it.

The ancient and the modern coexist in Tambat Ali, where old-style water heaters are made and sold along with modern products like candle stands. An artisan there says he has been working with copper for over half a decade now and can mould anything out of the metal. All you have to do is to show him a drawing of a product, he says, and he will make it for you. Facing economic and social pressure to adapt to the predominance of cheaper, mass-produced stainless steel or plastic products, the copper craft has been relegated to the margins. The design and type of products have been changing over the years to meet customers' requirements, and the artisans are now fashioning more decorative crafts due to revived interest in the use and demand for copper goods.

While local sales have dwindled over time, new avenues have opened up to revive the once-thriving craft. The demand for decorative exotica overseas has prompted exports of copper products made in Tambat Ali. Other important buyers of copper artefacts include hotels and restaurants. While fewer people are buying traditional copper utensils in the local markets, decorative copper items are making their way to some high-end stores. What the future holds for this unique art is still uncertain, but like their previous custodians, the remaining artisans labour on – lone vanguards of the trade.

Making utensils out of copper in Tambat Ali, where coppersmiths have been working for generations.
Making utensils out of copper in Tambat Ali, where coppersmiths have been working for generations.
A coppersmith at work by the bhatti (furnace). Firing the utensil at a high temperature softens the copper, making it malleable, thus easier to work on.
A coppersmith at work by the bhatti (furnace). Firing the utensil at a high temperature softens the copper, making it malleable, thus easier to work on.
An artisan works on a copper drum, beating it with a chauras dabak (square iron hammer) while sitting on the khod karwai (artisan's seat).
An artisan works on a copper drum, beating it with a chauras dabak (square iron hammer) while sitting on the khod karwai (artisan's seat).
A visitor watches an artisan work on a brass bucket. The artisans used to work with brass more often, which is a harder and noisier metal to work with, but now the trade has narrowed down primarily to copper vessels.
A visitor watches an artisan work on a brass bucket. The artisans used to work with brass more often, which is a harder and noisier metal to work with, but now the trade has narrowed down primarily to copper vessels.
An artisan works on a lid for a copper drum by beating it with a chauras dabak.
An artisan works on a lid for a copper drum by beating it with a chauras dabak.
An artisan works on restoring an old vessel. This artisan has spent 50 years of his life working as a coppersmith. He says to learn this work, one has to keep at it for years.
An artisan works on restoring an old vessel. This artisan has spent 50 years of his life working as a coppersmith. He says to learn this work, one has to keep at it for years.
An artisan works on a ghanghal (utensil). This artisan has been working at the craft for half a decade and can mould anything out of copper, even from a simple drawing.
An artisan works on a ghanghal (utensil). This artisan has been working at the craft for half a decade and can mould anything out of copper, even from a simple drawing.
An artisan works on a lid for a copper drum by beating it with a chauras dabak. Next to him lie newly-finished copper drums for storing water; and the khod kharvai, the wooden seat with the long cast-iron shaper tool, which gives each piece its signature hand-beaten detail. The old man used to work as a coppersmith but has retired and now lives in Tambat Ali.
An artisan works on a lid for a copper drum by beating it with a chauras dabak. Next to him lie newly-finished copper drums for storing water; and the khod kharvai, the wooden seat with the long cast-iron shaper tool, which gives each piece its signature hand-beaten detail. The old man used to work as a coppersmith but has retired and now lives in Tambat Ali.
Different generations of artisans sit in front of the workshops; the younger coppersmiths work as the retired artisan watches them. At one time, there were nine to ten coppersmiths in each workshop, but now only one or two remain per workshop. Most of the artisans' children do not want to take up the craft, and the number of skilled workers are steadily dwindling.
Different generations of artisans sit in front of the workshops; the younger coppersmiths work as the retired artisan watches them. At one time, there were nine to ten coppersmiths in each workshop, but now only one or two remain per workshop. Most of the artisans' children do not want to take up the craft, and the number of skilled workers are steadily dwindling.
Copper drums left outside a workshop after being worked upon.
Copper drums left outside a workshop after being worked upon.
An artisan at work, hammering on a copper vessel for drinking water. Mathar kaam helps strengthen the object and enhance its surface by giving it a mirror-like appearance. This can vary from piece to piece to achieve the desired density and size of depressions.
An artisan at work, hammering on a copper vessel for drinking water. Mathar kaam helps strengthen the object and enhance its surface by giving it a mirror-like appearance. This can vary from piece to piece to achieve the desired density and size of depressions.
Two artisans, one working on a kalash (pot) and the other on a copper vessel for drinking water. At one time there were 40 people working in Tambat Ali and now there are fewer than 10 artisans. The workshops are mud structures that were built over 80 years ago. The stones in the foreground were used in the past as moulds in the vessel-making process.
Two artisans, one working on a kalash (pot) and the other on a copper vessel for drinking water. At one time there were 40 people working in Tambat Ali and now there are fewer than 10 artisans. The workshops are mud structures that were built over 80 years ago. The stones in the foreground were used in the past as moulds in the vessel-making process.
An artisan works on a kalash as his son looks on. The artisans themselves don't want their children to continue in this line of work because of the diminished earnings from the craft. As the products they make are supplied to shopkeepers, they make very little profit. They would rather have their children choose more profitable professions.
An artisan works on a kalash as his son looks on. The artisans themselves don't want their children to continue in this line of work because of the diminished earnings from the craft. As the products they make are supplied to shopkeepers, they make very little profit. They would rather have their children choose more profitable professions.
An artisan files a candle stand. While the demand for traditional vessels has gone down, there has been revived interest in copper decorative items over the last 3 to 4 years.
An artisan files a candle stand. While the demand for traditional vessels has gone down, there has been revived interest in copper decorative items over the last 3 to 4 years.

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India
Himal Southasian
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