'Copper artistry,' blend of Kashmir culture, tradition

By Nusrat Sidiq

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir (AA) - Mohsin Ahmad Misgar, 39, from Indian administered Kashmir, is busy drawing motifs on an orange-red metal sheet in his workshop at his home in the capital, Srinagar.

He is a fifth-generation copper artisan and is a master of the art.

Misgar's great grandfathers have been masters of copper artistry and are known for hand-made intricate designs of copper utensils which still are a treasure in many households in Kashmir.

"From centuries we are into this art," Misgar told Anadolu Agency at his home in the decked neighborhood of the Zainakadal area which is famous for copper artisans.

In one room lies furnished pieces of copperware that later is taken to shops for sale.

- The craft

According to historians, the art of copperware is believed to be 600-700 years old and was introduced via traders from Central Asia.

Kashmiri poet and historian Zareef Ahmad Zareef said copperware has signified Kashmiri culture for ages, particularly samovar -- a wide cylindrical urn with a chimney where charcoal is burned to prepare tea.

"It is not just a cylindrical kettle but an era of artistry that has remained with Kashmir culture for ages," said Zareef.

Historians believe an Islamic scholar from Persia, Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani, was instrumental in making copperware popular among the natives and he brought craftsmen from central Asia to train residents.

But it is said that the craft flourished during the reign of King Budshah Zain-ul- Abideen.

Zareef said it was during the Mughal era that metalworkers learned enameling techniques while making gun barrels and swords.

"In that era, metalworkers learned the techniques of casting and forging iron along with enameling or 'Meenakari' as it is commonly known, were used for decorating the handles of swords," said Zareef.

After the decline of the Mughal era by the end of the 19th century, the skills of Kashmiri metalworkers were oriented toward making enameled vessels, according to historians.

"This was applied to different kinds of metal particularly on silver, brass, and copper," said Zareef.

- The elegant designs

Mohsin Ahmad Misgar sits alongside a dozen of metalworkers in his workshop. They have different work to perform.

"The process of making copperware is painstaking and goes through many artisans which are specialized in a particular technique," he said.

Misagar said an artisan called baraksaaz, makes circular hard items like handles, stands, top borders for samavors, or cylindrical kettles, and tashnaers, or a portable hand washer, out of melted copper during the first stage.

The next artisan, called a charger, gives the raw material its final touches to make it smooth.

Then, the finished product is sent to naqashqar, or the designer, who engraves a traditional design on the finished metal.

In the final stage, kalaisaaz, or polisher, polishes the engraved copper utensil.

The Kashmiri artists use intricate floral motifs, calligraphy, geometric patterns, and gorgeous Chinar leaves to give the copperware a grand and sophisticated look.

"The hammer and chisel engraved work is known as naqashi, and it is one of the two pricing determinants of the copper piece, the other being its weight," said Misgar.

- This art has not faded

The markets in the main city of the Kashmir region, called Shahr-e-Khass, or Important City, have been a center for copper artistry that still holds significance.

The commonly made products are Taesh Naer, a potable hand wash; tream, a round copper plate used during feats and samovar.

Even today, large, gorgeous copper samovars, cups, glasses, tasht naeris, traamis, jugs, bowls, trays, and degh -- round bottomed cooling pot -- decorate the shops of the city.

Misgar said copper art is intertwined in the culture, that is why the art has not faded.

He said it is exemplified in weddings, where it is nearly impossible to go without copper utensils.

"From cooking huge feasts to giving gifts to our brides, this culture has not changed despite modern utensils in the market," said Misgar.

But he is skeptical about the use of machines that are taking away the originality of the artform.

In 2006, an act was passed by the Jammu and Kashmir government that banned machine-made copperware items but there has been no implementation.

"Initially, authorities tried to confiscate the machine-made items but didn't implement it well," said Misgar.

He said the machines threaten the livelihoods of 28,000 copper artisans who are engaged in 6,000 registered units in the Kashmir region.