Indian Craft’s Sculptural Bronzer
Bronze is the chosen metal to cast idols of deities. The tradition of bronze casting in Karnataka came from the belief that bronze exuded divine energy and were sturdy enough to withstand the metal casting process. Bronze sculptures found in the region date back to the Chalukyas and the Hoysalas. The temple-town of Udupi is especially well known for its bronze idols and bell metal casting. Karkala, one the oldest places where Jainism found its roots, is known for ritualistic objects such as the lamps, pots and bells are made using bronze-casting. Bronze-cast masks and idols are also famous.
The Making
Bronze is cast using the lost wax method, also called cire-perdue in French. Molten metal is poured into a mould created with a wax model. Once the mould is made, the wax is melted and drained away. The hollow core has a heat-proof core to prevent the molten metal from totally filling the mould. Box moulds, clay crucibles, blowers, tongs, chisels, furnaces, and buffing machines are required to do the metal-casting. After the casting, artists create intricate designs on the metal. Household items such as lamps, cutlery, crockery, and decorative artefacts are also made using the same process.
The Legacy
While Nagamangala is known for intricate designs, Mangalore is known for its expertise in making domestic items using bronze casting. Bronze casting is usually done between March and May to meet the demand of the festival season later in the year. In other months, agriculture is the dominant and preferred way of earning a livelihood for the local inhabitants.
Memory Vault
In keeping with its Shaivite origins, the craft vocabulary has a predominance of the sun and the moon motifs. According to AsiaInCH, the embellishments of bronze-cast figures is similar to those used in Yakshagna masks, like the beaded rope work and the gold tassels. Karnataka bronzeware is certified with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.