Metal Craft of Tamil Nadu are the continuation of the ancient Indian craft that indicates a rich Indian tradition with an abundance of mythological influences. The metal craft of Tamil Nadu generally employs Brass and Copper metals that are the most ancient metals of Indian culture.
The metal craft of Tamil Nadu has a rich cultural heritage and in earlier times the metals were used for creating items that are of religious usage. As Agni is considered to be one of the most powerful gods in the Indian Mythology, the items that are used to represent fire or Agni like Lamps and Deepam, Aarthi, Deepalakshmis are made from metals. The metal craft of Tamil Nadu includes some religious items including religious deities of Indian mythology. One of the most outstanding figures crafted in Bronze include the statues of Lord Shiva dancing his cosmic dance. There are dozens of other Bronze castings that are famous in Tamil Nadu and are well acclaimed for the creativity that the artisans have exhibited.
Apart from religious usage, the metal craft of Tamil Nadu includes using popular metals in creating a huge variety of patterned trays and lamps that include Standing Lamps, Hand Lamps and Chain Lamps, shallow dishes in the shape of circular, hexagonal, octagonal and oval which are generally prepared from sheet brass and copper sheets. Moreover, the plates are created with designs of deities, birds, flowers and some geometric shapes. Then they are encrusted on a brass tray, `koodam` and `paachpatra`.
The metal craft of Tamil Nadu has a distinct style of creating bronze figures which are generally measured by `thala`. This is actually an approximate distance from chin to the forehead. The artisans of Tamil Nadu are deft in creating artistic designs in the statues that are the evidences of the creative excellence and the rich cultural heritage of Indian history of art and crafts. Some of the most remarkable statues of Tamil Nadu have been cast from both bronze copper and the history says that the creations belong to the Chola Period. Panchaloha has been included as the raw material in carving metal statues and has become very popular among the artisans.
The metal craft of Tamil Nadu has been admired in the country because of its artistry and the finishing that gives the created articles a perfect sheen.
