Bhubaneswar, Sept. 23 -- With stainless steel replacing bronze-brass utensils in almost all households, the age-old brass craft in Odisha's Dhenkanal district is on the verge of near-extinction, thanks to lack of governmental patronage to artisans as patronage from government heritage connoisseurs is woefully found wanting.
Once upon a time, bronze-brass utensils (locally called kansha pitala) were integrally linked to our social life. Whether rich or poor, such utensils were widely used in every house, from kings to commoners. When a daughter went to her mother-in-law's house, these utensils were definitely brought along with other items.
Indipur village under Odapada block of Dhenkanal district has carved out a niche in the traditional ...