Brass, bronze wares losing glitter as prices go up
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Our Correspondent
GOPALGANJ, Dec. 13: The traditional cottage industry producing a wide range of bronze and brass wares and once the pride of Gopalganj is now on the verge of collapse as price of raw materials has multiplied, resulting in higher prices of the products and dwindling market demand.
The products include utensils like plate, mug, jug, bucket, spoon, glass, lamp, pitcher, bowies and decoration pieces.
Only a decade ago almost all families in Gopalpur and Jalirpar areas on the outskirts of the district town used to produce bronze and brass goods and fine utensils. But now hardly 20 families still stick to their traditional profession, barely making a living, said one Kalidas Biswas.
Price of zinc has shot up to Tk. 2000 to 2500 per kilogram from Tk. 900 to 1000 about two years ago, copper price to Tk. 750 to 800 per Kg, from Tk. 400 to 450; bronze price to Tk. 350 to 400 per Kg, from 150 to 175 and brass price to Tk. 800 to 850 per Kg, from Tk. 400 to 425.
While talking to Sawpan Kangsha Bonik (68), owner of "Ma kali Basunalaya" a shop of brass, copper and bronze of Gopalganj town said a medium seized brass pitcher, is being sold between Tk. 550 and Tk. 600. But two years ago it sold between Tk. 200 and Tk. 205. A quality full bronze plate is now being sold between Tk. 950 and 1000 but earlier it sold between Tk. 500 and 550.
Users of bronze made household utensils are mainly middle class and poor people. As the prices have gone up they cannot afford it.
The number of such cottage industries rose to above 100 after Independence of Bangladesh but now the number has sharply come down to less than 20, local people said.
GOPALGANJ, Dec. 13: The traditional cottage industry producing a wide range of bronze and brass wares and once the pride of Gopalganj is now on the verge of collapse as price of raw materials has multiplied, resulting in higher prices of the products and dwindling market demand.
The products include utensils like plate, mug, jug, bucket, spoon, glass, lamp, pitcher, bowies and decoration pieces.
Only a decade ago almost all families in Gopalpur and Jalirpar areas on the outskirts of the district town used to produce bronze and brass goods and fine utensils. But now hardly 20 families still stick to their traditional profession, barely making a living, said one Kalidas Biswas.
Price of zinc has shot up to Tk. 2000 to 2500 per kilogram from Tk. 900 to 1000 about two years ago, copper price to Tk. 750 to 800 per Kg, from Tk. 400 to 450; bronze price to Tk. 350 to 400 per Kg, from 150 to 175 and brass price to Tk. 800 to 850 per Kg, from Tk. 400 to 425.
While talking to Sawpan Kangsha Bonik (68), owner of "Ma kali Basunalaya" a shop of brass, copper and bronze of Gopalganj town said a medium seized brass pitcher, is being sold between Tk. 550 and Tk. 600. But two years ago it sold between Tk. 200 and Tk. 205. A quality full bronze plate is now being sold between Tk. 950 and 1000 but earlier it sold between Tk. 500 and 550.
Users of bronze made household utensils are mainly middle class and poor people. As the prices have gone up they cannot afford it.
The number of such cottage industries rose to above 100 after Independence of Bangladesh but now the number has sharply come down to less than 20, local people said.