With the advancement of technology in India, a lot of things have changed its original place and turned towards modernism. From the number of things technological incursion is affecting, art forms are facing harshest consequences.
One such art is the art of Kalai. Old-timers still remember the kalaiwalas as those who skilfully coated brass and copper utensils. Earlier, copper and brass utensils were used in the kitchen but with the rapid intrusion of stainless steel and aluminium vessels, these vessels have become extinct from the modern day kitchen.
A long time ago, people used to store water in such vessels and there is actually a reason behind using them. Interestingly, these metals or alloys attract and transmit Chaitanya (a divine consciousness).
Such spiritual benefits are not obtained from the use of prevalent utensils made of stainless steel or aluminium.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THESE METALS LOSE ITS SHINE AND COLOUR?
When brass and copper kitchenware becomes old, they require tin-plating after six to eight months and the person who does this Re-tinning is known as ‘Kalaiwala’
Earlier these vessels ruled the kitchen, but now with the emergence of stainless steel and aluminium vessels, they have somewhat lost their utility in the society and are now struggling to revive its own identity
HOW DOES THE PROCESS TAKE PLACE?
The first step in the process of Kalai involves washing the copper utensil first with caustic soda to get rid it of any surface impurities such as dust
Then the utensil is washed with an acid that contains the gold purifying compound ‘Sufa’, a salt and another element
After this, it is immediately wiped clean otherwise it might bear a mark. The ‘kalaiwala’ or kalaigaar then dig a pit in the ground and prepared a temporary blast furnace, airing it with bellows, heating the utensil afterwards
Then he sprinkles a miraculous component called, ‘Nausadar’ powder (ammonium chloride) and then rubbed onto the utensil with a cotton cloth, which gives out deep white smoke and a peculiar ammoniac smell
Lastly, it is dipped in the bucket full of water. The sudden contact of the hot utensil with the water creates a harsh and sharp sound that dims with the utensil, finally recovering its normal temperature
HERE’S THE VIDEO OF THE ART OF KALAI. CHECK IT OUT:
India is famous for its culture and traditions and the world knows us by the deeply rooted culture within us. If this craftsmanship and the hard work of such artisans will be ignored, like the way it is going on right now, then such art forms will soon become extinct.
It’s time to bring back the lost art forms of India!
(Images by Shaad Midhat)
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source: http://www.indiatoday.in / India Today / Home> News> Education Today> GK & Current Affairs> Art and Culture / by Nisha Singh / New Delhi – April 19th, 2018