SARIPUTTA PETITE
MOOD: DEVA
Kansa Plate
A piece of metal galvanised in enticing tales from the past, when rulers and priests feasted on brass.
Details
Craft Type: Kansa Kaam
Originating from the times of Mahabharata, this craft has great spiritual significance. Considered to be veritably shudh (pure), these rustic brass utensils were used in important religious ceremonies, such as Havanas and weddings. This healing metalware is made using a four is to one proportion of copper to tin, a combination prescribed by the ancient Indian medical scholar Charak in Charak Samhita, the bible of ancient Indian medicine and surgery. Moreover, our gifted Kansari Karigars use only handmade tools to create alluring patterns on what is known to be the hardest metal to work on.
Made in: Uttar Pradesh
Material: Kansa
Dimensions (cm): Length: 17.5, Height: 1.7, Breadth: 17.5, Dia: 17
No. of pieces in a set: 1, One Plate
- Using handmade tools such as Sandasi (pincers), Ruha/Ugha (file), Lihini (scraper), Kunda (lathe), Bhanra (hand-operated drill), Kala Pankha (hand blower), and Shanwashi (tongs), our craftsmen form an alloy of Kasa (Bell Metal) and Pital (Brass) and turn it into a metal ball.
- This ball of metal is then melted and set into a small thick coin.
- Then using a Hatudi, the coin is hammered and beat into the desired shape. After that the shape is cast and turned in a Koi (crucible). This entire process is called heat and beat. It is a collaborative activity needing the perfect coordination of at least four Kansari Karigars.
- Kansari Karigars belong to the tropical area of Orissa in India. Where the naturally hot environment combined with the excessive heat liberated during the crafting process, makes it difficult for them to work post afternoon. Most of our artisans start working much before dawn.
- Moreover, the entire process from melting Pital to the final embossing is done under one roof, where each member of the tribe specialises in and performs a singular part of the process.
Care
DO:
- Clean your vessels immediately after you use them.
- Soak a soft sponge in tepid water, apply mild detergent and gently rub your vessel clean.
- You can also use natural home remedies to clean your metalware, such as gently rubbing it with a mixture of imli (tamarind), lemon and salt.
- Apart from detergent, you can use store-available solutions that are specifically made for cleaning traditional metalware such as Pitambari, Dara or Brasso.
- Make sure to wipe your metalware dry with a clean cloth, this helps to retain its natural gleam.
DON'T:
- Eat excessively pungent or sour food in your metalware.
- Stack the metalware in the sink while washing.
- Use a stainless steel/metal scrubber to clean.
- Use a dishwasher to rinse or wash these products.
- Use a microwave to heat food in these products.
- Store food in the vessels overnight or for a long time.