Uttarakhand Tamta Product
Copper Metal
History
Kumaon and Garhwal have a rich tradition of copper craftsmanship, dating back to ancient times. The region once had over thirty copper mines, worked by skilled miners called “agari.” They extracted and smelted the ore, supplying village coppersmiths known as the “Tamta” community, named after their expertise in tamba (copper). The Tamtas were brought from Rajasthan by the Chand kings in the 17th century and later settled in Almora, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh.
Raw Materials and Tools
Kumaon and Garhwal craftsmen craft utensils, musical instruments, decorative items, and water filters. Using locally sourced copper, they cut, shape, solder, and polish their creations, blending artistry with utility, using prakaar (compass) and kainchi (scissors).
Process
The process of crafting copper products begins with beating the metal until the desired shape is achieved. Copper, being a soft material, can be worked without heating and molded as required. The design is marked on copper sheets using a prakaar (compass) and cut with kainchi (scissors), with negative areas removed using a hammer and chisel. The metal is then annealed, improving its ductility and strength. Hammering with a wooden mallet shapes the product without puncturing it. Chisels and filers refine the shape, followed by intricate designing with specialized hammers. Finally, the product undergoes acid cleaning, buffing, and waxing for shine.
Design and Color
The most common motif besides the specific motif is the small squares, which are impressed just by beating them by hand.
Product Range
Kitchen utensils and vessels, jewellery, baskets, kalash, decorative items, and musical instruments (ransinga) are being made.