Taal Making - Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
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Old bronze wires and pieces are being dropped inside the crucible for melting.
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The first layer mold being fixed on the cymbals and wood pieces.
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The black sand is stuffed inside this mold and wheat flour is sprinkled on top.
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Artisan making a hole in the mold using a small chisel.
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On the second layer of mold, the backside of the cymbals is printed.
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The molten bronze is poured into the mold through a hole on it.
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The solidified bronze cymbals are removed from the molds once cool.
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Artisan dipping the cymbals into the water first to make it cold and then into a specific chemical for good quality sound.
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A rectangle file is used to smoothen the front part of the cymbal.
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Scraping is done to the topmost part of the cymbal as well.
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Artisan bending the sharp edge of the nail into a circular shape using a cutting plier.
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A glimpse of the completed piece of captivating cymbals.
Taal (cymbal) is a traditional musical instrument made from metal, mainly copper. This instrument originated in India is a usual accompaniment for devotional performances and music. Its ease of usability and inexpensive owning make it a favorite among experts as well as amateur musicians. Taals are known in different names across different parts of the country and hold strong cultural importance, especially in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Here Taals are played during aartis, bhajans, dayro, and santvani.
This perfectly tuned handmade instrument is a masterpiece of skilled artisans who design by casting method or by beating the metal into the required shape. The latter is a pretty primitive style, while casting is the one that is widely practiced nowadays. The product is often regarded for its high durability and earth-friendly nature. Artisan Mr. Shubham from Ahmednagar, part of Maharashtra, has been making high-quality cast Taal for years. The skill that was passed to him from his father is now shared with his students and employees to preserve the craft for centuries.
For more details:
https://www.dsource.in/resource/taal-making-ahmednagar-maharashtra
