Rare gifts for Boishakh Sukanta's Dhamrai Metal Crafts

On Boishakh, why not add a striking traditional gift to your list? For starters you could venture out to the village of Dhamrai, north of Dhaka beyond Savar, on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway. Here, Sukanta Banik will be more than pleased to receive you at “Sukanta's Dhamrai Metal Crafts” outlet.

Banik Bari, the family's 100-year-old mansion, which stands as a proud reminder of the family's once thriving business is located just past the “Rath” or chariot, brought out with much pomp annually during the Rath Jatra festival.  

Here, you will find Sukanta's ancestral home; which is also the workshop. On a visit to the adjoining shop, housing a treasure trove of figures, one could almost spend the entire day browsing and there's something for everyone – from various deities and other decorative pieces such as fish candle holder, folk horse on wheels, incense burner, bulls, frogs to fish and more.

The prices range from a modest few hundred Taka for a piece, to a Buddha that goes for around Taka 90,000. It would be rather difficult to shortlist your favourites.

Many of the metal crafts are on sale at a number of handicrafts shops in Dhaka, but the mark ups are huge that there's a definite advantage to buying at source.  

Sukanta explains, the process of metal casting. If you are lucky you might see employees continue with a live demonstration. The family members including Sukanta's mother and wife are also involved in the making process of the figurines which are finally baked in the oven.

The process involves a man climbing into the oven, placing the figures at appropriate spots and then running out before it gets too hot! The process is called lost wax method which is a 5,000 year old tradition. First the bell metal or copper is placed in a mould of wax.

As the wax melts away the figures come out and each piece is unique and is done freehand. The raw material is mostly recycled, informs Sukanta.

The ancestral business that dates back 200 years is, however, in the doldrums. Enthusiastic expats, local buyers and temples are the only buyers for the crafts.

While the overall industrial growth of the country has somewhat stalled, there is a huge potential market for the crafts which needs the support of the government, says Banik.

Export too requires cumbersome permissions from the archaeological department. “Through well conceived government initiatives and training and nurturing talents the bell metal industry could be a major tourist attraction,” says Biswas on a hopeful note.