In a fast-changing world, Tambat Ali still treads the thin line between merging the old with the new

The familiar rhythmic clanging of leather-coated metal hammers falling on copper utensils greets one, as you travel through the by lanes of Kasba Peth to the narrow winding lane of Tambat Ali located near the Pavale Chowk. Walking in this one of a kind place, one cannot help but be amazed at the dexterity of the few many copper metal workers who beat the glistening brown metal into shape.

Bandu Potphode, one of the sheet metal workers, whose family has been in the profession for the last five generations says, "I grew up to the sounds of the hammer and the chisel hitting the copper plates, also known as Matharkaam and have now been in the profession for over 45 years. Many families in this neighbourhood paint a dismal picture about the art fast losing its charm and people migrating away in search of better means but I don't think this is the case. True there were over a 100 families here earlier and now there are barely 25 to 30 families involved in the trade but that doesn't mean the art has lost its charm or is in danger of extinction."

The people involved in the manufacturing of the utensils are called the Koshta Kasar, and have been involved in making the utensils since generations. Speaking more about the skill, Shankar Kande says, "Earlier on the vessels used to be shaped from copper sheets by hand on stone anvils called Lokhandi Adi. The vessels now are made on lathe machines, for the simple reason that it is less time consuming and a copper Handi which earlier used to take three hours to make now is made in under one hour."

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