Discloses the community being impacted
Reduces the environmental impact
Created using handcrafted methods
Reduces/Reuses/
Recycles resources
Recycles resources
Made out of responsible materials
Biodegradable or environment friendly
In India, the practice of bronze casting dates back more than five million years. Perhaps the first non-ferrous metals that man molded into tools were copper and bronze. Each metal has its own alchemical and therapeutic properties, hence metal is an element of the Indian mysticism. One such metal craft comes from the artisans of Nirona, Gujarat whose specialty lies in crafting the copper coated bells.
Purpose
Copper bells were formerly only used to fasten around the necks of animals. But now, it has undergone several changes. The absence of any physical joints during the bells' construction is the centerpiece of this Copper bell art. Meaning there are no seams throughout the entire bell, including any machine press, nuts, or bolts. Just two of its components are hammered together. Focusing on the copper metal and the bells, this craft is gaining popularity as decorative items not only because they have a wonderful sound, but also because those sounds serve as a reminder that we are close to the ground, the villages, and our roots.
People
The ringing sounds of bell chimes re-enact the age-old love stories that India and Pakistan previously shared. Maldharis, Gujarat's indigenous nomads and tribal ranchers, travelled freely before partition, as did their cattle and livestock. With the love tale ending in tragedy, boundaries were pulled, villages were relocated, but the love for art and culture endured. Copper Bell manufacturing is one such unique art form that originated in Sindh (now Pakistan) and is still practiced in villages near the border. Now, the copper bells are made by the members of the Lohar community in the Kutch village of Nirona, and their families have been doing so for generations. They purchase scrap metal sheets and cut them according to the necessary sizes. Then, only by hand, a group of 40 artisans come together to mold these sheets into acoustically pleasing copper bells.
Planet
Artisans recycle discarded iron from damaged iron plates and cars to create these exquisite bells, which are a type of sustainable craft. As recycling old metal contributes to greater environmental sustainability, the techniques used in Copper Bell Art contribute greatly to the ecosystem by their usage of scrap metal. All the raw materials including recycled metal scraps are sourced locally, thus contributing to a low carbon footprint.
