Assam is a picturesque state located in the north-eastern part of India. Here, almost in all households, we find utensils made of bell metal, such as Kahi (plate), Bati (bowl), Xorai (traditional symbol), Ban Bati (in the picture below).  The Bell Metal utensils hold significant importance during religious, social and auspicious ceremonies. These Bell Metal items are also used in day-to-day life.   

Bell Metal is an alloy, made of copper and tin. This is the second-largest handicraft industry in Assam. The craftsmen, called Kahar or Oja in Assamese, craft these beautiful bell metal utensils and items through the traditional technique. This traditional technique demands high skill levels and is tiring too at the same time. 

I was in Tinsukia district of Assam, about two years back. During my stay, I decided to buy handcrafted Bell Metal from Tinsukia market. I wanted to get a handcrafted Xorai, and hopped through two shops. The shops showed me Xorai made of brass (an alloy made of copper and zinc). I mentioned that I am specifically looking for handcrafted Bell Metal items. The shop owners mentioned honestly that the Items they have are made of brass and are manufactured in Moradabad (a place known for brass craft factories). These machine-made items have much more intricate and neat work than the handcrafted Bell Metal items. Also, machine-made items are much cheaper than handcrafted Bell Metal items.

Finally, I reached a shop where handcrafted Bell Metal items were there. The handcrafted Bell Metal items were beautiful with traditional aesthetics. At the same time, the costs were high. Although I had five items on my list to buy, I purchased only two items considering the cost. But these two items are an asset to me.

Sarthebari is one of the traditional artisan-based industries of Assam, famous for its artistic bell metal products. The Bell Metal industry is going through a crisis, as mentioned in an article published in the Frontline. The hand-crafted bell metal items were almost three to four times costlier than the machine-made brass items. The market in itself has more of the machine-made Bell Metal items considering the demand. The demand in turn is sensitive to the cost.

The technology and improved transportation systems have dissolved the state boundaries for craft. The buyers have now more choices that are pocket friendly too. However, in this demand and supply in the market, there is a need to keep the traditional craft of Bell Metal alive.