Tamra shilp kumaon almora

Gagar

TAMTAS,coppersmiths,fashion vessels from sheet copper for daily and ritual use.Copper,called tamba in Sanskrit,is regarded sacred by the people of the Himalayas.Every temple has an object made of copper and every house has a copper pot to store water.The metal is known to have medicinal properties and keeps water pure.Copper smithery is a hereditary tamtas work from home.The craftsmen buy the sheets from contractors who procure them from rolling mills in Jagadhari in Haryana. Copper was initially extracted by the tamtas from local mines,a process which was a closely guarded secret.Pots are formed in two halves and joined with brass solder.The sheet is formed by drawing it over a swage stone.The finished vessel is heated until red-hot and immediately buried in a pit of rice husk and acid.It comes out shining.The rim or mouths are finished by beadingd and handles are riveted on. 

lota

water filter

The surface is fatigue resisted by peening.The concentric peening acts are ribbing and strengthens the walls.The cultural influences,Tibetan adn Shaivite,in the region are reflected in the motifs and forms of the vessels.The same vessel is made in various shapes for the Kumaoni,Garhwali,and Nepali customer.The tamtas also specialize in another kind of decorative were called Ganga-Jamuni in which brass and copper are used together.The two metals have different melting points and joining them is a specialized task.

taula

• Taula,The pots have been ribbed and peened to strengthen the sheet body.
• Water Filter
• Water Jug engraved with a punch.
• Degchi,vessels used for cooking rice.
• A swage stone on which sheets are formed.
• Gagar,a water pot.Every household in the region posses at least one gagar.
• Gagar,a water pot.
• Copper jugs.