Artisans

The process of making a brassware includes a master craftsman and other skilled craftsmen. This task comprises a team of skilled artisans having a considerable expertise in various areas required in the making of a brassware. For instance a skilled engraver is needed for the task of engraving, a skilled enameller needed for the task of enameling; similarly many others are required for additional responsibilities. Moreover, this Traditional craft is probably five hundred years old and these artisans learned this traditional art form from their ancestors and forefathers engaged into this practice from many generations.

Present socio-cultural, economic and political conditions of the artisans and the craft practice

Presently this craft practice and artisans involved in this practice are encountering certain challenges and crisis. Due to increase in prices of brass and coal the brassware industry also suffered a major setback. Also because of the inadequacy of basic infrastructure like electricity, water, health and sanitation and impoverished condition of the artisan the brassware industry is already in crisis. Because of no subsidies in both coal and brass and exploitation of artisans by both importer and exporter this traditional craft practice is in threat. For example many artisans don’t want their children and coming generation to pursue and continue this historic tradition and many of the artisans have already left this craft. Even the artisans who are involved in the process of casting (dhalai) are suffering from serious diseases like Tuberculosis, Asthma, skin diseases and many other diseases because of the poisonous gases from coal imported from China which is cheaper in cost as compared to the cost of indigenous coal from Jharkhand. Due to frequent electricity cuts none of the artisan can work without generators, they can not do the work of finishing and polishing without proper supply of electricity. Serious initiatives are necessary to strengthen Moradabad as well as India to face the challenges and competitions in brassware from China and many other countries.