The Role of Brass in Celebrating Festivals Through Crafts
Overview
From expensive art pieces to common hinges and locks, brass is everywhere. We use many brass-made items daily, but most of the time, they go unnoticed. Not only the crafts made of brass, but also the hard work and pain of the artisans involved in creating these magnificent crafts, often go unheard.
A brief history
A study of items discovered from the Indus Valley Civilization reveals the presence of brass made utensils, tools, and ornaments. These discoveries confirm that our civilization is among the oldest in the world. The use of tools and equipment was well known and discovered, which also confirms the presence of religion, politics, and economic trade.
New findings and developments in metallurgical expertise prove that earlier people discovered the composition of brass. Portions of copper and zinc combine to form a new metal, which we know as brass today.
Brass in Our Culture
Our ancestor knows the importance of pital (brass), kansa (bell metal), and loha (iron). These metals are not just for daily use but are guardians of health, symbols of prosperity, and vessels of ritual.
For centuries brass has been associated with our culture and life. Lota (spherical or round water pot) is a kind of vessel that is still widely used for religious purposes. Temple lamps made of brass are still lighting up our temples. Metals have shaped Indian life in ways we rarely pause to notice.
Advantages of Using Brass
Brass is way different from other metals. It has unique features and advantages. Brass is used for making utensils. These utensils fulfilled many purposes, such as the storage of food and water. It is also used for cooking various dishes. Art pieces made from brass are used in various forms, mostly as decorative show pieces or sometimes for religious purposes, such as worshipping brass made deities.
The legacy of Brassware is not just beautiful; rather, it is medicinal. Ayurveda and modern research both recognize its benefits:
- Brass acts as a water purifier. It has antimicrobial properties. Helpful to eliminate life-threatening bacteria.
- It also helps blood formation in our body, strengthens bones, and improves immunity.
- Brass contains zinc, which can heal wounds faster.
- It balances out Vata, Pitta, and Kapha (Ayurveda Doshas).
Acidic ingredients that can react with brass metal were well known in the past. A new method came into existence to tackle this problem, which is now known as Kalai. Tin, as a protective layer, is used to stop brass from reacting with acid. All this learning and technique made brass safe and practical to use.
Methods of Crafting Brass
Brilliant art pieces were created using this metal by generations of artists. It shows its rich history and legacy.
- Melting: The process begins with melting the brass to resize or reshape. Melting any metal requires a high-temperature chamber.
- Mold Selection: Selection of mold is necessary. Mold depends upon the desired design or shape. Different molds are used for different parts of an art piece to create a bigger art piece.
- Pouring: Melted brass is poured into different molds. It’s a very important stage, and utmost attention is necessary because any difference in temperature may result in uneven shape or detail
- Shaping: After the melted brass cools down, the craftsman removes the mold. Any change in shape is later corrected with different tools.
- Finishing: At the end, craftsmen give a finishing touch-up to crafted pieces, like polishing or colouring. The creativity of the artist plays an important role in making the art piece stand out from others.
The abovementioned processes were slow, requiring patience and precision. But the results were incredible and admirable.
Decline in the Legacy
The modern world offers many alternatives to brass-made crafts, which are easily available and convenient to use. But there was a time when brassware was inseparable from Indian life. Every bride’s trousseau included shining brass-made utensils. Every evening, brass lamps were lit in homes. Temples echoed with brass bells.
But with industrialization and urbanization, new materials took over. Stainless steel was easy to clean. Aluminium was cheap. Plastic was everywhere. Brassware, with its need for polishing and care, faded away.
As demand fell, Artisans lost their livelihoods. In search of new jobs for their survival, they migrated to different urban cities.
Re-establishment of Brass Legacy
Upgrading with time is the need of the hour, but forgetting our roots, which help us to reach this stage of modernity, should be preserved. It is about making wiser choices for health, sustainability, and culture.
Artists need our support; it is time to make a step in the betterment of our own countrymen. Bring back the smile of hardworking artisans.
Ways to Use Brass
Brass-made decorative pieces are perfect for creating a rich cultural vibe at home.
- Buying deities for religious offerings and prayers. Brass-made sculpture looks way different than other plastic or clay made sculptures.
- Decorating your living room with a brass-made art piece. The main purpose of the festival is family get-togethers, parties, friends, and guests. All these people will be stunned looking at your art piece.
- Unique use of brass, replace all your Chinese lighting with elegant looking brass diyas.
- Festivals are a reminder of the season change. As we adapt to new weather, our body requires care and attention. We know brass-made utensils offer health benefits.
- Gifting brass made art pieces could be a far better gift than common repetitive gifts. If you want to give something useful, a brass bottle will fit perfectly as a useful gift.
Learnings and Takeaways
Brass was always part of life, but we never cared about it. It’s not as valuable as gold or silver, but it does not make it less worthy. It offers many benefits, which can’t be compared with another metal.
Each metal has its own specific properties. Over the years, Brass lost its importance. Easy and convenient tools replace brass-made items. The craftsmen left, struggling to survive.
As festival seasons are coming, one of our goals should focus on reviving our roots. Brass-made crafts are unique and important to us. If we try to consider brass made crafts over any other convenient items, it will impact thousands of craftsmen engaged with the production of brass-made craft.
Festivals like Dussehra, Diwali, Christmas, or any festival are celebrated with one common purpose, which is to spend quality time with our loved ones. Everyone deserved to enjoy and celebrate the festival; over the years, artisans lost so much in terms of time, money, and respect. It’s time to bring back the joy of the festival on their faces.
FAQs
1. Why is brass so important to us?
Brass is as important as any other metal. We use it for years, it has its features and quality, and it should co-exist with us.
2. How is Brass connected to our festivals?
Idols, statues, and many other brass items are used in our festival. Our Deities are made from brass; we offer prayers and do our religious practices with these brass made gods.
3. How much hard work goes into creating a single art piece?
All art pieces are made by individual craftsmen with no heavy machinery. Big companies have large manufacturing plants. They mass produce art pieces easily in a limited span of time while individual artisans work on a single art piece at a time. Raw material to eye-catching craftsmanship requires utmost care and attention, with backbreaking human efforts.
4. What makes an artist's life challenging and struggling and why is it important to talk about their inspiring story?
The life of an artist needs to be studied; without any formal training and guidance, they create wonderful art pieces. Bare hands do wonders in the creation of life-long admiring art pieces, but still no recognition from the public or government. Big companies are stealing their work and selling it for their profits.
5. Where to find brass-made art pieces in India?
You can find a number of brass made art piece from various places in India. Moradabad is one of the popular cities for brass made art pieces. Moradabad metal craft is recognised and honoured with a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag.
6. Why is brass crafting difficult, time consuming and backbreaking for craftsmen?
Brass-made crafts production is a rigid process that involves multiple stages. Crafting steps such as melting, shaping and polishing takes time.
