Candle Making
Lac and Wax Crafts
History
Candle making began in ancient Egypt and Crete with rushlights and advanced in Rome using tallow for brighter flames. In the Middle Ages, artisans hand-dipped flax or hemp wicks into tallow or beeswax, the latter valued for its clean burn. Cotton wicks and machines later improved efficiency. Introduced to India by the Portuguese, especially in Goa, candles evolved from functional to decorative and religious items over time.
Raw Materials and Tools
Raw Materials: Beeswax, candlewick (yarn).
Tools: Mould, copper vessels, metal hooks, wooden bats, spatulas, and a heat source.
Process
The process begins with high-quality beeswax sourced from Karwar, melted in a copper vessel (pital) over a wood fire. Impurities are skimmed off, leaving pure, aromatic wax. The molten wax is poured onto handmade wicks attached to metal hooks, gradually building layers to achieve the desired shape and durability. Once formed, artisans polish and smoothen the candles using a wooden bat, cut them uniformly with a hot spatula, and dip them in a water bath to set their shape and enhance their finish.
Design and Color
In Goa, traditional pure beeswax candles are crafted in batches of 52, with smaller versions featuring red or blue bases made specifically for Candle Day. Despite the growing popularity of beeswax candles, the traditional production methods remain unchanged.
Product Range
Some artisans are embracing innovation in candle-making. One such artisan is Sharmila from Shiroda, who specializes in flower candles crafted from wax. Her unique creations feature intricate floral designs that captivate the eye. In addition to floral designs, she makes colorful candles, candles displayed in bowls and glasses, and fragrant varieties.