BHUBANESWAR: There is no denying the fact that India is a land of wonder. The culture and art of the nation is well known throughout the world. Bangles, the traditional rigid bracelets originating from the Indian subcontinent, are worn by women of this nation since time immemorial.
It is apt to say that this hand accessory is embarrassed of riches due to the staggering amount of varieties available. However, the popularity of Lac bangles is constantly on rise in recent years. Orissa Post interacted with a few bangle makers during a recent exhibition in the city to delve deeper into the subject.
Asif Ahmed, a bangle maker from Nadia, West Bengal, said, “Lac bangles have a touch of class and richness. Extremely popular with intricate detailing, they are highly sought after as they are studded with precious or semi-precious stones. They are as lavish and glorious as their metal counterparts. Being one of the oldest varieties of bangles, Lac’s flexibility adds to its popularity. Multiple colours and embellishments can be incorporated into this hand wear to enhance its beauty. Lac bangles are usually made with the handcrafted method of using a mould.”
Subashini Hota, a well-known bangle maker from Cuttack, said, “My father had estabilished a small bangle making unit at our place. Nowadays, I get bulk orders and also supply my products to sellers all over the country. My bangles are unique as they are manufactured with the trademark of our state. We are fortunate to get bulk orders even in these times.”
Babu Khan, a bangle merchant from Jaipur, said, “The demand for Lac bangles in India never end as they are considered as a lucky symbol for married women. Lac is the natural resin secreted by a tiny insect collected from trees and is further processed by traditional craftsmen to create bangles. Lac shellacs are made and sold in wholesale shops. Shellac is the developed form of lac which is acquired from seed lac in the shape of thin flakes. This traditional handicraft practiced in Jaipur, Rajasthan is prepared by ancient methods passed down by earlier generations.”
Soni Ranjit, a business woman and mother of two, said, “Lac bangle is the symbol of my marriage as it reminds me of it. My mother has sent me three pairs of colourful Lac bangles on the occasion of Karwa Chauth. These bangles go nicely with my evening wear.”
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Making of Lac Bangles
The raw material of this variety of bangles is popularly known as Lac. It is the by-product of small insects and is acquired from trees such as Peepal, Bud and Plasa. Lac is usually imported from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and some other areas. After cleaning this waste, it is heated in large vessels and is formed into a hard circular base. Lac is first heated on furnace or bhatti with charcoal and is similar to glue or a semi-liquid sticky material. It is then mixed with different natural colours like red, green and yellow, and sometimes with Japanese golden or silver glitters. The products that can be designed with pure lac are bangles, pens and brooches among others. Sometimes it is mixed with Papier-mâché, a composite material, to craft beautifully designed artefacts. The entire process requires a lot of accuracy, skill and time.