The traditional bronze and brass industry of Natore is gradually dying out due to increasing production costs and decreasing market demand.
Natore’s Lalpur and Singra upazilas were once famous for producing good quality bronze products that were in high demand across the country.
Over time, due to melamine and plastic products taking over the market, the demand for bronze and brass products has gradually lessened. Only a handful of artisans now continue the heritage art in the district.
With the increasing production costs, these artisans are also struggling to stay afloat and continue their generational trade.
Artisan Nazrul Islam of Singra’s Kalam union said people are less interested in bronze products. “Since the sales are slow, many have changed professions to make a living. Only a few of us have held onto our generational trade.”
Bronze and brass are metal alloys and while both are used in making utensils, they are different. Bronze is made up of copper and tin whereas brass is composed of copper and zinc.
During a visit to the Kansha Palli, this correspondent found four bronze artisans in a small tin shed hut.
Artisan Amanullah of the factory said making an alloy is not an easy job, adding, “Mixed alloys are hard to work with. It has to be hammered first, set into an iron mould and thrown into the fire to be forged properly. The process is repeated several times to get the desired result.”
Local chairman Lutful Habib Rubel said that recently the bronze industry is gradually disappearing while competing with steel, melamine, plastic and aluminium products.
“People buy the products that are more available at a cheaper rate. So people have become less interested in the increasing price of bronze products,” he said.
In this regard, Ganesh, a bronze and brass shop owner in Kapuriapatti area of Natore, said, “Even small bronze plates costs Tk 500-1,000 nowadays. Many people cannot afford that. Hence people buy cheap plastic and melamine products.”
History of Natore’s bronze industry
The use of bronze utensils was once a sign of wealth and prosperity. Bronze and brass have played a significant role in the history of the Indian subcontinent.
The use of these metals dates back to ancient times. The use of brass also became popular during the Mughal era, with the metals being used to create intricate sculptures and decorative items.
Bronze and brass were highly valued for their durability, malleability, and ability to hold intricate details in their designs. They were used to create a wide range of objects, including weapons, utensils, and jewellery. The metalworking skills of Indian artisans were highly regarded, with their craftsmanship being sought after by traders from around the world.
During the colonial period, the production of bronze and brass declined as British-made products flooded the market. However, bronze and brass remain an important part of the cultural heritage in the region.
Natore’s bronze industry centred around Lalpur and Singra upazilas of the district. The artisans lived in different villages of Lalpur union the upazila.
Kalam Union Parishad Chairman Mainul Haque Chunnu said Kalam was known as the village of bronze artisans. They had been living in the area for generations and following their heritage trade.
On the other hand, Sherkole UP Chairman Lutful Habib Rubel said there are 14-15 houses of brass makers living in the area’s Kansha Palli.
According to locals, even a few decades ago, the famous Kansha Pallis (bronze villages) were bustling with the sound of products being made and the traffic of buyers during the day.
Local lores said, during the Nawabi period, around 50 bronze factories were run by skilled artisans where products such as different types of designer plates, glasses, spoons, bowls, jugs, vases, bells, candelabras and other products were made.
Four hundred workers under fourteen usurers used to produce about 500 kg of bronze products every day back then. Now only 15 workers in three factories are making about 40 kg of bronze products in that Kansa village under three landlords.
In this regard, Lalpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shamima Sultana said bronze is the heritage industry of Lalpur.
“But the industry is on the verge of extinction due to the decline in demand for bronze products. We have taken various initiatives from the upazila administration along with the upazila parishad to sustain it,” she added.
Singra Pourashava Mayor Jannatul Ferdous said the quality of Singra’s bronze craft is still good.
“To encourage the artisans of that industry, ICT Division Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak bought the products and gifted them to the guests at various events. We encourage people to buy these products to sustain the industry,” she said.
