The old city of Srinagar is witness to the fact that copper work has gained huge popularity during the ancient times. The marvellous craft has a rich tradition and its popularity has not suffered even an iota of difference up to now. The entire old city is swarmed with the shops of copper wares, stuffed with copper items which are swaying on the walls, quiescent on the shelves and strewn over the floor.
Craftsmen in the downtown area (old city of Srinagar) are always busy in beating, engraving and enamelling copper items. Throughout the Mughal period in Kashmir copper was used for making weapon, ornamental utensils, vessels and other household objects. As per the historical account, copper wares were used extensively by the Kashmiri rulers during their respective regimes and since then it was considered to be a symbol of grandeur. As copper work is associated with royal custom and it has been used by the royal families during different eras; Kashmiri people are trying to imbibe the same royal culture in their houses.
People prefer eating in copper utensils owing to its unbreakable and durable nature; and there are fixed copper utensils for each member of the family in Kashmir, which comprise of Thals for males, Kenz for females and Toerpyale for kids. While most art forms are losing its sheen, the antique art of copper work is persistently growing with each passing day. Copper work is so deep rooted in Kashmiri culture that it will never go out of fad and will keep on attracting people even after many more dacades.
Copper work is approved by Kashmiris not only for its brilliance but for other reasons as well. Copper wares are believed to yield health benefits if used over a long period of time. “Drinking water kept in copper vessels is propitious for health and it also enhances the taste of beverages if stored in the same,” says Amina, a housewife. One of the long revered customs associated with copper work in Kashmir is giving copper items to the brides at the time of marriage. This custom is practised since time immemorial and this is also one of the reasons why copper work is not losing its vividness unlike other art forms. The demand for copper work in Kashmir is on the increasing scale despite the inroads made by other wares like steeliness steel and bone china crockery. From time to time brilliant innovations in designing and shaping of copper wares are being done by skilled artisans of Kashmir.
On one hand they are adopting contemporary patterns and on the other they are sticking to the traditional designs of Kashmir. “There are many copper workshops in the valley and each has its own area of expertise. Some deal in traditional objects and others in modern items, says Haji Gulam Rasool,” a copper workshop owner. Today, coppersmiths in Kashmir are able to make copper accessories of any conceivable shape and size while maintaining its refines. Copper wares are kept plain or engraved with simple designs and sometimes intricate Naqashi to make it more beautiful. Copper work of Kashmir is highly appreciated by the travellers from all over the world. “The designs on copper items are elegant and I am really fascinated by work done by artisans on these small items,” says Alfred Bill, a tourist from Netherlands. Making a product out of a copper metal is a complicated task as it has to pass through various stages before yielding the final product. The process includes shaping, engraving, inlaying and enamelling (silver coating) and finally finishing. The refinement and delicacy can be seen in every single article of this eye catching craft. The hereditary copper work of Kashmir bears testimony of the excellent artisanship of Kashmir. Copper work is one of the few crafts in Kashmir, which have evolved brilliantly with time and there is a true reflection of Kashmiri culture in it.
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