Making brass vessels is the sole occupation of over 150 families at Kannarapettai in Cuddalore.
CUDDALORE:
Even while the rest of the world is grappling with inflationary pressure, recession, retrenchment and layoff, over 150 families at Kannarapettai near here are too busy to pay attention to any of these economic predilections. They are fully occupied with their traditional pursuit of making brass vessels throughout the year, and hence, their habitations are always ricocheting with hammer beats and lighted with ever glowing embers in the furnaces.
R.Venkatesh, one of the residents, told The Hindu that vessel-making had been the means of livelihood for the families in Kannarapettai for generations. Their workmanship had been recognised all over south India and hence, the finished products had found ready markets in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. It was a common belief that brass vessels made at Kumbakonam were renowned for their quality and varieties.
But Mr Venkatesh averred that Kannarapettai continued to supply large volume of brass vessels to Kumbakonam, and the pots with broad mouth and wide rims were termed as “Kumbakonam pots.” At any point of time 16 varieties of vessels were being produced in the factories, including measurements and circular metallic seat with three legs (‘mukkali” in Tamil).
Mr Venkatesh said that all units were undertaking only job works from traders and wholesale dealers for which they were paid wages either on the basis of weight of the products or on a piece rate. But he would not disclose the charges fixed on both the counts. The traders would provide them with the brass sheets which they would cut according to the requirements. For instance, the pot would require four pieces — bottom, middle portion, neck and mouth.
While the bottom and middle parts were attached horizontally, the neck part was attached vertically. The workmanship comes to the fore while giving shape to the vessels and heating up the joints. For heating either coal embers or gas was utilised and the one made of the traditional furnace method were less expensive and more lasting, while the vessels made of latter technology were costlier and having lesser life. G.Selvam, another vessel maker, acknowledged the fact that water stored in brass vessels was good for health because it would neutralise the harmful bacteria. But on the other hand the kitchenware made of brass should necessarily be coated with lead inside so the cooked food would not have any adverse impact on health.
Since, brass would lose its sheen soon it could be rubbed with tamarind and rinsed with water to get back the sparkle. Both of them said that their job ended with shaping up the vessels and it was up to the traders to get it polished. Mr Venkatesh said that they were averse to manufacturing the vessels on their own because of the marketing and logistic problems which might require larger manpower and transport facility, and hence, they were content with taking up the job works. “Since there is a constant demand for household vessels there is no dearth of work orders,” Mr Venkatesh added.
0 கருத்துகள்:
கருத்துரையிடுக