Bell Metal Craft Kondagaon Bastar Chhattisgarh

Bell metal casting and hammering is a craft of the Ghasia community of Kondagaon and Narayanpur in Bastar, Chhattisgarh. Unlike lost-wax brass casting (Dhokra), bell metal craft in Kondagaon uses alloys of copper and tin to produce temple bells, water vessels, oil lamps, ritual food plates (thali), and decorative items by hammering sheets over iron molds. The bell metal vessels are used in tribal ritual ceremonies for storing and serving sacred food. The sound quality of bells and the smooth finish of ritual vessels require skilled hammering and annealing cycles. Bastar bell metal differs from Thanjavur bronze in using open hammer shaping rather than lost-wax casting. Chhattisgarh state craft cooperative provides tin-copper alloy and manages emporium sales. The craft is listed under Chhattisgarh's state heritage craft promotion scheme.