“Bell & Brass metal work losing its shine in Odisha”. · PDF file“Bell &...
Transcript of “Bell & Brass metal work losing its shine in Odisha”. · PDF file“Bell &...
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“Bell & Brass metal work losing its shine in Odisha”.…a survey conducted by the Industry-Institute Partnership Cell &
Department of Management Studies.
Konark Institute of Science & Technology,
Bhubaneswar.
Introduction.
The metal handicrafts reached a high level of perfection during the reign of Ganga
Dynasty from 11th century onwards. The royal patronage brought extensive
popularity of the products and in course of time the craft began to grow in range
and variety. These kings developed a special liking not only for construction of
magnificent palaces and towering temples but also for patronizing figure arts and
econometric in metal and stone as well. From the level of few domestic types of
equipment which originally constituted the limited field of industry, it spread in
various directions of utilitarian and ritualistic fields. And finally it trickled down to
the households of well-to-do and common man of the society which leads to a
flourishing market of the metal crafts.
The excellence and universality of the products created opportunities for extensive
extra territorial markets. The bell metal products of Orissa found a regular market
in the neighboring state of West Bengal and other areas besides meeting the
growing demands at home. The industry was prosperous when raw materials were
available abundantly and the competitions from other industries were less
pronounced. But, lack of innovation and professionalism paves way to variety of
problems ranging from raw material to marketing of products in the competitive
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market environment, especially that gradually emerged after independence of
India.
Bell metal is a hard alloy used for
making bells and related instruments, such as cymbals. It is a form of bronze,
usually approximately 4:1 ratio of copper to tin (e.g., 78% copper, 22% tin by
mass). Bell metal ore is a sulfide of tin, copper, and iron called stannite (the
chemical formula is Cu2FeSnS4) bell metal was used for the casting of
bells Functional bells, with the intention of producing sound, are usually made by
casting bell metal, a high-copper alloy of bronze, with approximately a 4:1 ratio of
copper to tin (78% copper, 22% tin).
Brass metal is any alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with zinc. In some
cases, copper with tin is considered a type of brass, although this metal historically
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has been called bronze. It is a substitution alloy atoms of the two constituents may
replace each other within the same crystal structure. Brass is used for decoration
for its bright gold-like appearance; for applications where low friction is required
such as locks, gears bearings, doorknobs, ammunition casings and valves; for
plumbing and electrical applications; and extensively in brass musical
instruments such as horns and bells where a combination of high workability
(historically with hand tools) and durability is desired
Brass & Bell Metal in Odisha.
Metal craft is perhaps the single mostimportant craft in terms of the number of
artisans engaged in its practice as in its close links with the daily lives of the
people of the State. The craft is practiced by the people of the Kansari caste who
can be broadly described as black smiths while a particular variety, dhokra, is
practiced mainly by sithulias. The largest concentration of the former is Kantilo in
Nyagrah and Balakati in Khordha ,Bhuban in Dhekanal district although fairly
substantial numbers are also found in Cuttack, Ganjam,Sambalpur, Bolangir,
Jajpur&Balsoredistricts of Odisha.
Details of Bell Metal Cluster in Odisha.
Sl.No.Name of
theDistrict
Name of theCluster
Name of theCraft
No. of craftpersons (approx.)
1 BolangirTarava
Brass&Bellmetal
70
Binika Brass 60
4
&Bellmetal
2 JajpurLaxminagar
Brass&Bellmetal
110
BaidyarajpurBrass
&Bellmetal500
3 Dhenkanal
BhubanBrass
&Bellmetal300
IndipurBrass
&Bellmetal80
Reamal Metal ware 318
4 Cuttack BhatimundaBrass
&Bellmetal400
5 Ganjam
BelgunthaBrass
&Bellmetal60
PatrapurBrass
&Bellmetal70
JagamohanBrass
&Bellmetal60
6 NayagarhKantilo
Brass&Bellmetal
500
KhalisahiBrass
&Bellmetal100
7 Khordha
MuktapurBrass
&Bellmetal140
RathijemaBrass
&Bellmetal300
BaichuaBrass
&Bellmetal400
BalakatiBrass
&Bellmetal500
8 Sambalpur RengaliBrass
&Bellmetal300
9 BalasoreRemuna
Brass&Bellmetal
30
SimuliaBrass
&Bellmetal50
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Out of the above clusters, we have visited Bhuban & Indupur villages of
Dhenkanal district and the Baidyrajpur cluster of Jajpur district on 22.02.2015,
04.03.2015 & 02.05.2015 respectively. And the scenario remains almost same in
the three villages. The detail report is hereby given for a ready reference.
The Co-operative Society of Bell & Brass Metal at Baidyarajpur.
The workshop is called sala or shed and consists of a platform with a block of
stone for the floor on which the beating is done, a heating furnace or bhati, a raised
verandah with a local lathe for polishing. Tools used are hammers and anvils,
pincers, hand drills, files and scrapers. The heating furnace with a crucible is
fanned by a blower with leather bellows although of late the craftsmen have started
using mechanical blowers.
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The Crafts men in Bhuban are engaged in melting the raw materials.
The process consists of preparation of the material by melting the required
materials in the crucible and then placing the molten metal into an earthenware
container. After the molten metal sets, it is taken out and after repeated hammering
and beating is given the desired shape.
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The artisans are engaged in moulding activities.
The major items manufactured in the beating process are plates or 'thali', deep
round containers called Kansa, small containers called 'gina' (tumbers), water
containers called gara and buckets or 'baltis', large cooking utensils and storage
vessels called 'handi', various types of pots and pans, ladles or chatu, perforated flat
cooking spoons etc. While the above mentioned are items used in cooking and
eating there are also a number of items used for puja or worship. Of these most
important of course, is the ghanta or the gong and thali for offering of the food to
the deities.
Prof.(Dr.) P. Padhi, Principal, KIST discussing with the governing body members of the Baidyarajpur
Cluster.
Particulars of community associated with the craft:
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The community associated with the making of bell metal wares in Orissa is
Kansari. The Kansari is an artisan caste in the socio cultural hierarchy of Orissa.
As metal smiths, they specialize in bell metal, brass and copper and manufacture
different kind of non-ferrous metal wares. In Orissa, the communities practicing
different non-ferrous metal wares constitute a caste cluster. The caste/community
that practices with the work of bell metal is known as Kansari and that a copper is
known as Tambera. There are also other copper and copper alloy metal craftsmen
like the Kharuda (brass bangles) etc.The Kansaris are widely known for their work
in bell metal and brass. They earn their livelihood primarily as Brass and Bell
Metal smiths. Through this, they maintain their own age old metal craft tradition.
(Dr.) Payodhar Padhi, Principal, KIST discussing with the Artisans at Indupur, Dhekanal.
Number of households engaged in the craft in the state
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In absence of any comprehensive survey of the bell metal craft in the state it is
difficult to obtain the exact number of household engaged in the craft in the State.
However, as per the Ambedkar Hastashilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY), Ministry of
Textile, Govt. of India, it is revealed that the state has about 15000 artisan and
SHGs families with a production base of about one hundred crores rupees per
annum. And out of it about 3000 families are engaged in Brass and Bell Metal
craft.
Prof.(Dr.) Payodhar Padhi, Principal, KIST discussing with the Artisans at Bhuban, Dhekanal.
No of Dependents.
The bell metal artisans are mostly tribal-people. The metal-crafts sector plays a
vital role in providing employment to our rural population. In India there are about
three million handicraft artisans and most of them are working in metal sector.
These metal artisans display inherent creativity and play a significant role in
protecting the traditional art and culture of our nation.
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Different Bell Metal Products:
The bell metal handicraft objects manufactured by different artisan household
under survey are Thali (Plate or Tray) ,Thalia (Saucer of quarter plate) ,Kansa or
Bela , Tatia or big Gina (Cup) , Small Gina or Small Bati (Small Cup), Parasa, Bell
, Ghanta (Gong),Jhanja , Kubuji and Gini etc. And among the temple accessories,
cymbals (Jhanja), Gini, Ghanta, Ghanti, Chakra, Trisula etc.
Products made off brass & bell metal available at the Baidyarajpur Cluster.
Raw materials:
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The raw materials used can broadly be classified into two categories i.e. the
Primary and the Secondary.
a) Old utensils made of brass metal b) old utensils made of bell metal.
The copper ware and coal used as raw materials.
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The Primary raw materials include various kind of metals, both in pure and alloyed
forms are Copper, Zinc, Tin, Bell metal (alloys of Copper & Tin), Brass (alloys of
copper & zinc), German silver (alloys of nickl, copper and zinc) and Tau (alloys
of copper and zinc). The secondary raw material includes Soldering materials,
Resin, Polishing material and fuel.
However, the joblessness of the craftsman over a long period is primarily due to
the scarcity of raw materials, which is one of the major problem areas in this
traditional industry. The mahajans (the middle man) procures the brass sheets from
a re-melting, re-rolling mill as long as the prices were affordable to them. But with
raw material prices rising, they have stopped their procurement, and the
consequence of which the artisans are without work and income. On the other side,
the artisans cannot bypass these middlemen (mahajans) and buy raw material
directly themselves as these suppliers enjoy monopoly power in the factor market.
On the basis of procurement, the tools can be broadly classified into two types
i.e.indigenous and imported. The former includes those which are made either by
themselves or by the local ironsmith/carpenter, according to their specification and
on order, whereas, the latter includes those designed and manufactured using
machines, standardized and available in hardware shops.
Health Problems
Different private companies (for example Reliance General Insurance) have givenhealth promises to all the crafts men of this cluster, but everything goes in vein.
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The precarious health conditions of the crafts men in Baidyarajpur village.
The crafts men showing the health cards provided by the different companies having no benefit.
Technology.
It is observed that the all members of the Baidyarajpur Co-operative Society areusing the traditional technology for the purpose.
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The melting furance
The finishing activites being under taken at the Sala (Workshop)
Since the Brass and Bell Metal industry is household based, it does require huge
amount of capital investment.However, the capital is required for acquisition of
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tools and equipment, purchase of raw material and to bear costs involved during
the manufacturing process including the fencing charges.
Socio-economic background of the craftsmen.
Having interaction with the artisans at Baidyarajpur.
All most all craft enterprises are family owned. The owner and other family
members are the Manager, operator, marketer, technician and negotiator. There is
hardly any qualified people recruited from outside.
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One of the Sala (workshop) worstly affected by the Cyclone.
As a result no fresh idea came up and the process of manufacturing remained
traditional. One needs to understand that there are several functional areas in an
enterprise where qualified and experienced persons are required. The level of
awareness of the entrepreneurs, especially in technical and marketing areas, is not
as high as it should be. Low level of education and inability to communicate in
English has created a major problem for them.
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Prof (Dr.) P. Padhi & Prof.(Dr.) V. S. Murty, Distinguished Prof. of KIST, narrating theproblems of craft industry to the Media.
However, the traditional artisans have expertise only in this craft and limited scope
for alternative livelihood in one hand and their poor socio-economic condition,
the lack of schooling in most cases, and virtually no exposure to the outside world
on the other have left them vulnerable and unable to find a way forward on their
own.
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Socio-economic & environmental conditions.
The short-term effects is metal fume fever, symptoms of which occur four to
12 hours after exposure and include chills, thirst, fever, muscle ache, chest
soreness, coughing, wheezing, fatigue, nausea, and a metallic taste.
Welding smoke also can irritate the eyes, nose, chest, and respiratory tract
and cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, bronchitis, pulmonary
edema (fluid in the lungs), and pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs).
Gastrointestinal effects, such as nausea, appetite loss, vomiting, cramps, and
slow digestion, also have been associated with welding smoke.
An exclusive interview of the craftsman at their workshop (Shala).
Some welding fume components and welding processes can be especially
dangerous in a short period of time. Cadmium in welding fumes can be fatal
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in a short time. Ultraviolet radiations given off by welding reacts with
oxygen and nitrogen in the air to form ozone and nitrogen oxides, which are
deadly at high doses, irritate the nose and throat, and cause serious lung
disease.
Studies show that welders and those involved in brazing, soldering, and
metal cutting have an increased risk of lung cancer and possible larynx and
urinary tract cancer.
Other health problems that appear to be related to welding include heart
disease; skin diseases; hearing loss; chronic gastritis (stomach
inflammation); gastroduodenitis (stomach and small intestine inflammation);
and stomach and small intestine ulcers.
Problems of Technology
In the present era of globalization, liberalization & privatization, the Indian
brass and bell metal industry, which is the most important components of the
metal craft, is facing tough competition in the emerging manufacturing
scenario due to its conventional indigenously developed technology in
producing the traditional types of brass and bell metals Products.
As a result, the artisans are opting for alternate employment for survival and
the brass and bell metal artisan skills continue to decline and almost appear
to be moving towards extinction in some of the clusters/areas and hence it
necessitates product diversification, design development, technology up
gradation, proper market exploitation etc.
Sales and marketing
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The products are marketed within India.
The products are marketed through traders/dealers and agents.
There is no export till date recorded from this cluster but if the products are
diversified to decorative items on line with Moradabad cluster there will be
potential for export.
Marketing The Baidyarajpur cluster meets the order of the local markethaving no access to the national or international demand. However, the turnover the cluster is ten lacs to 15 lacs. (approx.)
Finance problem
Finance has been a problem for the craftsmen. Due to the illiteracy, ignorance and
poor family background of entrepreneurs they are compelled to work on job work
basis for Mahajans who purchases raw material i.e. Brass and Bell metal and give
it to the artisans on piecemeal basis. Although some banks are ready to provide the
financial assistance but these tiny units are accustomed to work on job work basis
and not making efforts to borrow the money from financial institutions.
Working Capital Requirement.
Total demand for the working capital is Rs.50, 00,000/-. However, the Baidyrajpurcluster has put demand of Rs. 6, 00, 000/- but the government has sanctioned onlyRs.2, 60,000/-
Human Resource Development.
All most all bell metal clusters in Odisha are providing no training facilities to the
craftsmen.. The skill and the technique involved in the process of manufacturing
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and repairing is done through the traditional method. Even R&D institutes and
quality testing laboratories are non-existent in this industry.
Infrastructural facilities
As is mentioned above most of the units are set up in their houses and therefore
there are no working sheds or suitable infrastructure available with them.
Business Development Services
Lack of business development services is also another big problem for the
development of craft industry. There is no technical training institutions, no R&D
laboratory, no management institutions, no testing facility, no marketing expertise,
no design development institutes available at all most all clusters in Odisha.
These problems are being discussed by Prof.(Dr.) P. Padhi, Principal, KIST with Mr. K. C.Sahoo-the representative of The Samaja- the Oriya Daily- in front of the foundry at Bhuban.
Institution involved in the development of clusters:
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The Government departments which have direct/indirect stake in the cluster butcertainly can play a very significant role for the overall growth of the cluster are:
Brass & Bell metal Co-operative Societies
District Industries Centre
Small Industries Service Institute
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
Directorate of Handicraft and Cottage Industries
Craft Council of India (CCI)
Khadi& Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
Regional Research Laboratory (RRL)
Small Industries Service Institute (SISI),
Directorate of Handicraft and Cottage Industries, Government of Orissa
Orissa Cooperative Handicraft Corporation Ltd.
National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD)
National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC)
Export Promotion and Marketing (EPM), Government of Odisha.
However, in spite of the various schemes announced by the different agencies, the
artisans have not been taken into confidence by the administration. The artisans are
unaware of the projects and schemes of the government and hence the benefits are
not trickled down to the craftsman. Thus the problems like scarcity of raw material,
obsolete technology, lack of marketing support, poor background of the
entrepreneur and their enterprise, lack of financial support and absence of
networking among cluster actors are the biggest threats to the development of this
industry.
Employment Generation
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The artisan workshop is able to create more employment opportunities because of
its labour intensive technology. Statistics shows that every artisan firm needs 4/5
labour for melting, casting, scrapping, welding, grinding and buffing activities in
the production process. In addition to this, there are also some indirect
employments like raw-material suppliers, machine suppliers, traders, marketing
agents etc. But due to the current downward tendency of this industry, the State of
Odisha is losing thousands of employment opportunities every year.
However, the factors, which hampered the development and growth of craft sector
in Odisha, can be summed up as
Fixed mind-set to change of products and processes and cater to market.
Lack of awareness on new manufacturing technologies and best practices,
collaborative work and other options existing outside.
Non-availability of institutional facilities for product design, new processes
and other technical support services to manage technological change and
financing of this process on continuous basis.
Lack of communication and interaction with handicrafts and other brass and
bell metal artisan enterprises of the other states like West Bengal, Uttar
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh & Bihar, etc.
Very small size of manufacturing entities in comparison to their counterparts
in other states.
Absence of cooperation amongst brass and bell metal artisan enterprises
countrywide.
Thus the Key areas in which the strategic interventions are needed are:
1. Technology up gradation
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2. Networking among cluster actors
3. Skill Development Practical training for Diversification of products
4. Marketing support for products
5. Raw material support
6. Common facility Centre.
Suggestions.
In the month of February & March, 2015 We have paid a visit to Bhuban &Indipur of Dheknal district and came across with the no of artisans and theirprolonged problems. This has also been published in The Samaja on 26th Feb,2015.
The news published in The Samaj, dt. 26th Feb, 2015.
However, on the basis of interaction with the artisans of Bhuban, Indipur andBaidyarajpur, we can suggest the following for the development of the bell & brassmetal industry.
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To assess the problems of the bell metal craftsman facing as of now and to
categorize the problems in to engineering and management and formulate
solutions accordingly.
To created innovative design such that the works process will be more
productive, cost effective and less hazardous.
To enquire into alternate design for bell metal currently available in the
market, may be in India or abroad. The designs related to antiques, crafts, art
etc.
For infrastructure development, a Common Facility Centre (CFC) has to
be developed where improved machines will be installed.Facilities for
mechanization of material testing, sheet cutting, sheet rolling, sheet pressing,
product design and development, pattern making, packaging, etc. can be
done here.
Training programmes for product diversification with modern technology
should be organized at the cluster level.
To understand or explore modern/ innovative market avenues for solving the
market/distribution problems.
Project funds should be used for establishing a proper market network to
help artisans to market their goods directly without middle-men.
In this era of globalization, the marketing activities of the crafts man needs
to be integrated in order to capture both Factor market & Product market.
Govt. must develop a long-term cooperation and partnership programme to
provide international support to the craftsman. Motivation, awareness and
exposure of artisans to role of new technology, innovations and
technological options for enhanced productivity and sustained growth must
be carried out at the administrative level.
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Thus, it is concluded that all the above mentioned problems should be addressed
properly at the grass root level, so that all the 3000 artisans families in Odisha will
get benefit from the projects of the different agencies.