Traditional copper utensils moving out of Kashmiri kitchen

Shah Uzrat

Srinagar, January 8

The use of exquisite and traditional copper utensils, which have been part of Kashmir’s culture for a long time, is declining as it faces challenge from cheaper ceramic and modern cookware.

The artisans linked to the trade said the use of plain copper utensils had become obsolete and the sale recorded a considerable drop over the years.

“Since past few decades we are observing a decline in the sale of copperware, but the reduction has not been more than 15 per cent,” said Sheikh Muzaffer, a city-based trader, who has been associated with the selling of copperware for the last 20 years.

To overcome the dwindling sales of plain copper utensils the artisans are working on making their products more decorative.

In the contemporary times, people prefer decorative copperware for gifting purpose and use of plain copperware is becoming obsolete, said Muzaffer.

He said with the demand for machine-made utensils, which are cheaper in cost, was picking up and use of copperware for household purpose was on a decline.

With a dip in the demand, the skilled artisans and craftsmen, who shape the decorative copper utensils, are now taking little interest in the work.

“Kashmiri handmade carving had a great reputation, but the local artisans are no longer interested in the trade, resulting in its decline,” Muzaffer said.

Imran, who owns a shop at Gonikhan market in the city, however, said the copperware remained relevant despite a downtick in its sales. “It represents the prestige. People enormously admire copperware gifts during marriages,” said Imran.

In the recent years, modern appliances and cutlery, which is cheaper in cost and lighter in weight, has taken over the space in a Kashmiri kitchen. “People do not prefer copperware because of its weight and also the price being so high,” said Mehraj-ud-Din, a local.

Introduction of wide range of glassware and porcelain utensils have also resulted in a decline in the use of copperware in family kitchens. “The demand for glassware is increasing day by day as copperware fails to compliment a modern kitchen,” said Arif Bashir, who runs a crockery shop at the Lal Chowk.