Uttarakhand Polls: Artisans hit as Copper Units, Once Almora’s Pride, are Dying

Almora:  Almora city of Uttarakhand was once known as Tamranagari (copper city) but now copper work is on its decline here. Copper artisans, who were not the just the pride of Uttarakhand but the entire, have been struggling to survive today. No government has ever done anything to uplift them, but politics has always been played in their name. This time, the state government gave kalash (urns) made by artisans here as gifts to chief guests in the Kumbh Mela. But nothing more was done and eventually the artisans remained just another photo opportunity.

To get deeper insights into the life of these artisans, NewsClick visited Tamta Colony, the copper hot spot in Almora, where even today some families are carrying forward this work.

Amid heavy snowfall and rain, the NewsClick team reached Tamta Colony February 3. As we neared the colony, we could hear the sound of hammers from somewhere. We went closer to find one Rajesh Tamta, 55, making designs on a copper vessel with his hammer and chisel.

Following which we reached the place where Rajesh Tamta, about 55 years old, was carving designs on a copper vessel with his hammer and chisel.

Tamta told us that he had been doing this work since the past five decades. Since the time he was 4-5 years old, he had been helping his family in this work. His eyes and face turned sad while talking about today’s situation, has he told us that now there were no returns in this work any longer, as a result of which it was difficult to meet family expenses.

Tamta said earlier almost the entire locality was associated with this work, but today only four to five families are doing this work.

Tamranagari’s Rich and Ancient History

Almora’s journey of becoming a hub of traditional copper utensils is rich and ancient. This worl has been going on here since the era of the Chand dynasty.

Local people say the history of the copper city is about 500 years old. It is said that the Tamta family had a special position in their courts of the Chand kings. They were experts in identifying and testing the quality of copper metal found under the ground. When the Chand kings shifted their capital from Champawat to Almora, the Taamta (Tamta) families were settled here.

In those days, copper craft got the status of the largest industry in the Kumaon region, where along with domestic use, coins and seals were also made in copper. Copper utensils were used in worship and religious events. At present, apart from utensils, they make musical instruments, like Ranasingh, Tutri etc.

However, this industry was affected under the British rule as they started importing copper from Britain. Yet, the local industry managed to keep itself relevant.

Mechanisation Played Key Role in Industry

Sanjay Tamta, who has worked relentlessly to revive this industry and connect new youth with this traditional art, told NewsClick that the industry flourished even during British rule, but as soon as dark shadow of mechanisation fell on handicrafts, the once soaring copper artwork industry gradually became desolate from neglect.

Naveen Tamta, 58, who has been associated with this industry for the past 40 years, said instead of in cottage industries comprising traditional artisans, copper work started being done with machines in modern factories. It’s then that the downfall of Tamrangari and the artisans there began, leading to a crisis situation.

Savitri Devi, 58, who lives in Tamranagari, was once associated with this industry and used to earn a fair amount, now does domestic work in people’s homes.

Sitting next to her is Rama Devi, in her mid-40s, who said she had also left this work because there was no income and neither was work always available.

She said earlier the sound of the hammer beating copper could be heard throughout the day in Tamranagari, as people were involved in this industry on a large scale, but today only a handful of people are doing this work.

It may be recalled that that the workshop in Tamranagari was set up by Mayawati, Chief Minister of United Uttar Pradesh, in 1997-98. A workshop of 10 to 12 rooms was made where these artisans used to work. Today, this is less of a workshop and more of a home for artisans. This is because due to lack of work, all these artisans have started living in this space as they do not have any other shelter.

Rama said government officials are now asking these artisans to vacate, but where will they go?

Corona’s Double Blow on These Artisans

The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a double blow on these artisans who were already facing many problems. The pandemic and lockdown caused by it have pushed them to the brink of starvation.

Manoj Tamta, who is associated with this industry, told NewsClick that at least some work was going on before corona “but the lockdown has left us completely unemployed for many months. The markets are now open but there are no buyers.”

The custom of gifting copper gagri (vessel) in the wedding season has now declined but there still a lot of demand for gagri etc. However, the pandemic led to postponement of weddings this time, due to which work was badly affected.

Also, a large number of foreign tourists used to visit this area and liked these handicrafts very much. They used to pay fair prices to the artisans, but since the pandemic, foreign tourists have not been coming, which has deeply impacted business.

Manoj said: “During this crisis, the government did not help us. All they did was give us 5kg of ration. But does food comprise only wheat and rice?”

Rajesh Tamta said during this period there was a huge increase in the rate of copper, which has affected artisans quite adversely.

Lack of Sincere Efforts by Government

Almost all artisans reiterated one thing -- that the younger generation was moving away from this work because it had no returns. The older craftspersons have also left this work. Some of them have started have become daily wagers whereas women artisans, were earlier involved in this industry in large numbers, have today been forced to work as domestic helps.

The government has made many policies on paper for their uplift but nothing is visible on the ground.

The biggest problem of these artisans is the lack of any direct market. They have to sell their goods to middlemen who earn profit by paying them a nominal amount. Manoj said: “We are forced to rely on private traders. If the government provides us a market, we will be able to sell our goods easily and also make profit.”

Giving the example of Khadi, he said if the government can open khadi showrooms in every state and major districts, why can't such showrooms be opened for our handicrafts too?”

In the ongoing Assembly election campaign, every political party is connecting this industry with the culture of Almora, declaring it as the “pride of the state”, but no party has a concrete roadmap.

The main electoral battle in Almora is between Congress and ruling Bharatiya Janata party (BJP). Congress has fielded Manoj Tiwari while BJP has fielded sitting MLA Raghunath Singh Chauhan.

There was a lot of anger in the Tamta community against the incumbent MLA, because they said he had not visited them in the past five years. Even when there was a severe crisis like the pandemic, he did not help.

In the four Assembly elections held after the formation of the state in 2001, the BJP has won twice, and Congress, too, has won twice.

The demand of the artisans is that whoever forms the government, it would benefit them only if there is a proper roadmap and plan to save this art.

 (Translated from Hindi by Aditi)