Dhenkanal: The 29th edition of the Dhenkanal Heritage Walks (DHW) recently turned the spotlight on Indipur village, revealing the slow decline of a 200-year-old craft. The centuries-old tradition of making bronze-brass utensils, locally called ‘kansha pitala’, is now at risk of extinction without urgent support from heritage lovers, cultural institutions, and the government.
Once an essential part of Odisha’s social life, these utensils were treasured for their durability and health benefits. From royal kitchens to modest households, bronze vessels were a common sight, and gifting a set to daughters during marriage was a cherished custom.
Indipur’s 200-year craft
Located in Odapada block of Dhenkanal, Indipur earned fame for its finely crafted utensils known as Petphula. For over two centuries, artisans here have produced vessels admired for their strength, intricate design, and distinct quality.
During the heritage walk, organised under the patronage of Suresh Prasad Mishra, 40 participants toured 10 workshops, interacting with craftsmen and observing the intricate vessel-making process. They also visited warehouses and sales centres to understand the market’s challenges.
Former sarpanch and walk coordinator Raj Kishore Sahu explained that the craft, practiced by the Kansari community, once enjoyed thriving demand. Until the 1970s and 80s, nearly every household relied on bronze utensils for daily use. Even during financial crises, families could mortgage or sell these items to tide over difficulties. Such was the value of kansha pitala that entire villages across Odisha gained fame for their unique designs and superior finish.
Declining craft, shrinking workforce
Today, however, the picture is bleak. Indipur, once bustling with hundreds of artisans, now has barely 30–40 families left in the trade. Escalating costs of raw materials, meagre returns for the labour-intensive process, and the flood of cheaper substitutes like stainless steel and fibre have forced younger generations to abandon the craft.
Though urban consumers are showing a renewed interest in bronze utensils for health and heritage reasons, the dwindling pool of skilled workers threatens the survival of the art.
Call for revival
Heritage walkers stressed the need for immediate government intervention, promotion through heritage tourism, and the creation of artisan cooperatives to sustain this dying tradition.
PNN