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Bell metal craft losing its sheen

BHUBANESWAR: After ruling Orissa’s utensils market for centuries, the bell metal craft of Kantilo in Nayagarh district is fast losing ground leaving its once-rich-and-famous artisans in the lurch.

Popularly known as "kansa basan", Kantilo’s bell metal products are unique for its making in the heat-and-beat process. Staring with the preparation of the alloy till the finished product, everything is done under one roof by a group of three or four craftsmen. The entire production process is eco-friendly, products are considered a must for application of Ayurveda treatment and for the sacred and traditional socio-religious activities besides being household materials. For nearly half of the 16,000 population of Kantilo grampanchayat on the banks of Mahanadi River, bell metal craft was their only source of livelihood. But with introduction of cheap aluminium and steel products about four decades ago, its meticulously crafted utensils were marginalised, observed former president of the Kansari Samaj, Nakul Sahoo. For nearly eight months in a year, artisans go without work and income , he said.

Lamented Kansari Samaj secretary Srimati Moharana. “There is no raw materials and hardly any help from the Government. Four co-ops were set up in this panchayat to revive the age-old craft style and safeguard the livelihood of its artisans.But gross mismanagement pushed three of those into moribund state, it was learnt.

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