Reviving Bell Metal Craft: The Hidden Harmony of Kutch’s Traditional Artisans

This article is featured on www.craftrevival.org – The Encyclopedia of Intangible Cultural Heritage (InCH).

A Visit to Khamir: The Echo of Tradition

In January 2010, I had the privilege of informally visiting Khamir, a craft resource centre located in the Kutch region of Gujarat, India. Khamir stands for Kutch Heritage, Art, Music and Integrated Resources, and it works actively within the fair trade framework—promoting sustainable craft livelihoods by building ethical market linkages.

During my visit, I explored various traditional crafts of Gujarat, but one art form left a lasting impression: the making of bell metal. It transported me back to my childhood, where the gentle chime of a cowbell on village roads was part of everyday life—a sound deeply rooted in the rural spirit of Gujarat.

Origins of Bell Metal Craft

Although many associate bell metal craft with Kutch, its roots are believed to lie in the Sindh region (now in Pakistan), with artisans later settling in Gujarat post-Partition. Today, the craft thrives in the villages of Nirona and Zura, practiced by the Lohar community, predominantly Muslim artisans whose families have upheld this tradition for generations.

Women and children are also engaged in supportive roles—such as preparing mud paste used for finishing—while the men handle the more technical aspects of the work.

Cultural & Contemporary Relevance

Originally, these bells were tied around cattle necks to help owners track their animals. Today, they have found new purpose—as decorative items, wind chimes, doorbells, keychains, and even jewelry accents. Their rich tonal quality, carefully tuned by artisans, makes them uniquely musical and aesthetically appealing.

Craft designers and NGOs are introducing innovations in form, function, and aesthetics to keep this heritage alive in the modern market. During my travels in Australia, I even spotted these bells, reimagined as keychains and art objects, in boutique stores.

The Crafting Process

Bell metal making is a fine-tuned skill. Bells come in 14 different sizes, each traditionally used for different animals. Made from scrap iron, the process includes:

1. Shaping metal sheets using compression—without welding.
2. Coating with a paste of powdered copper and mud.
3. Firing in a kiln to fuse the coating.
4. Attaching a wooden striker (tongue or clapper) inside the bell.
5. Hand hammering for tonal precision.

The sound quality depends on:

• The shape and size of the bell,
• The curvature of its rim,
• The type and position of the wooden clapper.

This process is highly sustainable, using recycled materials and generating minimal waste.

The Market Paradox: Who Makes, Who Gains?

Through my personal research and field interviews, I observed a significant disparity between the earnings of the artisans and the retailers/exporters:

• A large-sized bell (size 12/13) sells internationally for around $59 USD (₹2655).
• The artisan’s income per bell: around ₹500 (~$11 USD) for two days of labor.
• The raw material cost: about $14 USD.
• Estimated profit margin for intermediaries (NGOs/businesses): 57%.

While some of these organizations operate with good intentions, the reality is that artisans often bear the upfront costs, including buying scrap metal and fuel, and they rarely receive timely payments.

Many artisans must borrow money to sustain production, which further erodes their net earnings. The lack of direct market access, financial literacy, and infrastructure puts them at a systemic disadvantage.

The Need for Policy Support & Direct Engagement

There is enormous untapped potential in the bell metal craft sector. According to data from the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), major markets like the U.S. (27.5%), U.K. (10.5%), and Germany (9.1%) are top importers of Indian handicrafts. However, emerging craft-loving markets such as Australia (1.3%) remain underexplored.

With the right support, artisans can be trained in:

• Product innovation
• Branding and packaging
• Online marketing
• Export compliance

Governments and institutions can also:

• Set up artisan cooperatives
• Provide low-interest microfinance
• Facilitate direct-to-customer platforms
• Organize international craft fairs

A Way Forward: Empowering the Lohars

Organizations like Khamir serve as vital bridges—facilitating design development, documentation, and fair market access. But the entire ecosystem must be mutually supportive, ensuring that artisans earn fairly and retain ownership over their craft.

The Lohars of Kutch do not need charity. They need systems that work for them, not around them.

This article is not an indictment of NGOs or businesses, but a call for a more balanced model where profit does not come at the expense of the creator.

Conclusion: Crafting Justice with Every Bell

The echo of a handmade bell is more than just sound—it’s the voice of tradition, the labor of generations, and a reminder of economic disparity within cultural preservation.

Let us amplify that voice—ethically, sustainably, and inclusively—so that those who craft beauty for the world may also live with dignity in it.

Photos by Karnav Shah