Khurda: Gone are the days when people had a penchant for bronze and brassware. Utensils of stainless steel and plastic-made household goods have replaced the traditional bronze and brassware.
Rapid fall in the demand for bronze and brassware has pushed many artisan families into financial miseries. Several artisan families of Muktapur in Khurda block here are on the verge of losing their livelihood due to low demand for brass and bronze-made utensils and other household goods.
Around 50 artisan families of Muktapur used to eke out their living by opting for bronze and brass crafts. These artisans were shaping several varieties of utensils, decorative pieces and idols made from bronze and brass and supplying them to markets.
But, shortage of raw materials, low demand for bronze and brassware and reluctance among the youngsters to opt for the traditional craft have forced the artisan families to search for some other sources of livelihood.
“Earlier, people had a liking for bronze and brassware. Bronze and brass utensils and decorative pieces were selling like hotcakes in the markets. The mass use of stainless steel and aluminum utensils and plastic goods has taken a heavy toll on brass and bronze crafts. Most of the artisan families have left the traditional craft. Now, only five to seven families of Muktapur are engaged in brassware business,” said artisans Abhiram Maharana, Pramod Das and Prafulla Das.
According to the artisans, they mould brass and bronze at their foundries and shape them into utensils and other goods by hitting with hammers and other tools. “It is not easy to make bronze and brassware. We have to toil hard to shape the moulded metals into household products. But, the remuneration is very low if the amount of labour involved in it is taken into consideration,” said Abhiram.
Lack of provision for bank loan and assistance from the government has prevented the artisans to source raw materials and introduce new technology into the bronze and brass crafts.
“Earlier, people were buying bronze and brassware for wedding and other social functions. Now, the trend has changed. The state government should take immediate steps to revive the traditional craft by allocating funds,” said Muktapur brassware artisans’ association secretary Banamali Das.
Local Sarpanch Bijay Kumar Das too urged the state government to announce certain incentives for the artisans of Muktapur. “Artisans from other states are using modern technology in bronze and brass craft. The state government should take steps to arrange finance and modern technology for the artisans of Muktapur,” Das said.
