Antiques and Contemporary Bell Metal Objects

A range of products crafted in bell metal, from ceremonial and religious objects to art pieces for the contemporary clientele

Dastkari Haat Samiti

Dastkari Haat Samiti

Bell Metal Casting: Community and temples (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Contemporary relevance

With changing lifestyles and technology, much of the utilitarian value of bell metal objects have diminished. Very few households continue to cook in traditional bell metal vessels, and many traditional utensils are now seen as decorative objects or souvenirs. However, the religious and ritual market continues to thrive; temple and church bells, idols and various ritual objects still have a high demand. Temples and religious institutions remain a big market for the craft. 

Bell Metal Casting: Temple community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A new entrant is the hospitality industry, with corporates and hotels using bell metal products in their interior decor. People who are conscious of having traditional elements in new homes use bell metal artefacts to embellish doorways or other aspects of their interiors.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

There are various categories of priests who would be cast into statuettes in bell metal by the moosaris; like the Anthitherian (daily priests), Velachapadu (the oracle), Kodakaran (the man who carried a ceremonial umbrella over the image of the deity during a procession) and Karnavar (the most senior member of an important household).

Among all the men, there is one woman who holds a special position in the story of the statuettes made by the bell metal craftsmen of Payyanur.

Dating back to 400 years, this woman used to bring coconut leaves to decorate the temple regularly. One day she did not arrive and members of the community found out that she had passed away. They cast a statuette to honour her dedication and belief.

Her statuette stands apart in the collection of antique pieces the moosaris like to display.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Religious bell metal objects

It is believed that the Gods would enter these statues.Representative images of senior priests, who were very close to royalty, were cast in bronze and silver after their death. 

Contemporary products in bell metalDastkari Haat Samiti

A bell metal figurine of a female deity. Idols are cast according to the Shilps Shastras, an ancient Indian treatise which laid down the rules in art and craft skills relating to iconography and measurement.

Bell Metal Casting: Theyyam community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Bell metal lamp used in the temple inside the house of a Theyyam artist.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Bell metal doorway inside the temple.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

An Aana Vilakku is an elephant lamp. The Malayalam word ‘villakku’ is a generic word meaning lamp.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The moosaris make 33 kinds of lamps, each with its own name. Among them is the ubiquitous Nelavillakku. With its simple, elegant form, it is integral to all rituals and ceremonies in Kerala.

There is bound to be one, in any size, at every home in India.

Bell Metal Casting: Community and temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A large nilavillakku is always placed prominently on stage to be lit before a performance or important event, as an auspicious beginning.

They are usually placed at the side of a stage during a classical music, theatre or dance performance.

Bell Metal Casting: Community and temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Gajalakshmi Vilakku lamp outside the main worship area. Lamps, whether standing or hanging, have transitioned from ancient to contemporary seamlessly as its use has not been given up.

Whether lit at home or at temple festivals, individually or in large numbers, they do create a divine atmosphere around them.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A kindi (a vessel to pour water) is now used for ceremonial purposes.

Initially, during the time before piped water was a common facility, they were used in every house, in Kerala. They were commonly used when washing the mouth and hands after a meal, or to wash bare feet when stepping into the home from outside.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

An oil lamp is used in temples for ceremonial purposes.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Changlavatta (oil lamp) used in the temple for ceremonial purposes.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Mugangal, a mask used in the temple.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Metal artefacts used for ceremonial purposes.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Chilamp (anklets) worn by Theyyam dancers, who perform at the temple or on other special occasions in different parts of Kerala, and abroad.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Chilamp worn by a Theyyam dancer.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Vattalam or vaarpu is a large round shallow vessel which is used to cook or mix food in temples, for mass feeding, or even for cooking a large amount of rice to feed elephants. They are used by cooks at weddings as well.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Murum, a vessel to keep rice.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Ser, a vessel to measure rice.

Bell Metal Casting: An old object (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A craftsman shows an old metal casted iron.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Contemporary bell metal products

Banana leaf made out of bell metal.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A jackfruit in bell metal.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Antique animal figurine in bell metal.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Old bell metal crocodile.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A cow and calf figurine in bell metal.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A small plant in bell metal.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A bell metal artifact of a baby sleeping inside a cradle.

Bell Metal Casting: Old bell metal objects in the temple (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Details of the elephant lamp.

Bell Metal Casting: Contemporary products in bell metal (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A bell metal figurine of a mother and a child.

Bell Metal Casting: Contemporary products in bell metal (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Statuette of a man helping a woman carry a load on her head.

Bell Metal Casting: Contemporary products in bell metal (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

A craftsman shows his contemporary bell metal product.

Bell Metal Casting: Contemporary products in bell metal (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

The artisan displays miniature bell metal products.

Kerala's Bell metal casting (2018)Dastkari Haat Samiti

See more of how Bell metal casting is done in Payyanur.

Bell Metal Casting: Theyyam community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti

Read more about Bell Metal Casting here:

- Shaping the Form
- Finishing Process

Serving the Local Community
Credits: Story

Text: Jaya Jaitly
Photography: Chirodeep Chaudhuri
Artisans: Govindan, his family and fellow metal casters from Kunhimangalam Society
Ground Facilitator: Ankit Kumar
Video Documentation: Ankit Kumar
Curation: Aradhana Nagpal

Cinematic Video:
- Director: Jyoti Neggi
- Production: Studio Gola

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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