Handmade in India

The life size idol of goddess Kali and her entourage made of hay,
before the application of clay that is finally the base for painting the
figures, on the outskirts of Kolkata.
Kali idol getting finishing touches at a roadside workshop, Kumartuli, Kolkata. The making of
painted lifesize clay images thriving during the festival od Durga Puja held in the Bengali month
of Aswin (October). Images of the ten armed Goddess Kali are worshipped in ancient houses and
pandals erected specially for the Puja. After the four day ceremony, these images are immersed in
the river. On account of the popularity and religious significance attached to this festival, the
tradition of making clay figures has become a family craft in Bengal.
BEATEN SILVER WORK
Silver work started in Bhabanipur during the colonial days.
Kings of different states, dignitaries like viceroys and the
governors would visit the shops at Bhabanipur for intricate
and exotic silverware. However, after independence and the
abolition of the Zamindari system, the glory of the craft started
fading away due to lack of clientele. The cluster, which at one
point of time catered only to the privileged,
began to decline. Many craftsmen diversified their skills to expan their
production range to other metal works and also to making trophies, medallions
and other minor utensils. Silver sheets are beaten into desired shapes on an anvil,
and the ends fused with paan, a solution of silver and brass in the ratio of 16:7.
Designs are chiselled on the surface, and the polishing is done by hand.
1. Craftsman engraving a design on a beaten silver bowl.
2. A silver trophy.
3. Beaten silver teapots from Kolkata.
Production Clusters
Kolkata
Bhawanipur
Kansaripara
Products
Trophies
Medallions
Spoons
Forks
Glasses
Bowls
Teapots
Tools
Hammers
Shovels
Files
Chisels