Kansa: Forging Traditions, Shaping Futures

Discover the living traditions of Kansa craft through this groundbreaking bilingual publication that bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary understanding. This landmark book emerges from five months of intensive fieldwork across 18 craft villages in Odisha, representing the most thorough documentation of bell metal traditions ever undertaken. The Odisha Craft Odyssey Fellowship Programme 2024-25 brings you an unprecedented exploration of one of India's most sophisticated metalworking traditions. What Makes This Book Unique: Comprehensive Coverage: Documents Kansa craft across multiple districts including Angul, Bargarh, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Khurda, Nayagarh, and Ganjam. Bilingual Accessibility: Complete text in both English and Odia, making it accessible to local communities and international scholars. Living Tradition Focus: Goes beyond static documentation to capture the dynamic, evolving nature of this ancient craft. Scholarly Rigor: Academic-quality research combined with cultural sensitivity and respect for traditional knowledge. Inside This Volume: Traditional techniques and metalworking processes passed down through generations. Comprehensive vernacular lexicon preserving craft-specific terminology. Cultural and spiritual significance of bell metal in Odisha's heritage. Socio-economic contexts and contemporary challenges facing artisan communities. Stunning visual documentation of tools, processes, and finished works. Insights into the lives and wisdom of master crafts people. Contributors: Curator: Sibdas Sengupta - Conceptual artist and writer specializing in cultural documentation and curatorial practices. Research Fellow: Bilash Sardar - Extensive fieldwork and process documentation across multiple craft villages. Archivist Fellow: Kirti Kumari - Visual storytelling and photographic documentation of traditions and techniques. Research Associate: Satyabhama Majhi - Community engagement and cultural context research. Programme Conceptualizer: Premjish Achari - Noted curator and art historian, founder of Future Collaborations platform. Foreword: Bose Krishnamachari - Renowned artist, curator, and founder-director of Kochi-Muziris Biennale. Perfect For: Researchers and scholars of Indian craft traditions. Art historians and cultural anthropologists. Students of traditional arts and metalworking. Cultural institutions and libraries. Anyone passionate about preserving living heritage. Gift for those interested in Odisha's rich cultural legacy. About the Publishers: Published by MGM Foundation and Bhubaneswar Experimental Art and Design Studio (BEADS), this book represents a commitment to documenting and celebrating Odisha's diverse craft heritage through rigorous research and inclusive cultural platforms. Technical Details: First Edition, 2024. Bilingual: English and Odia. High quality photography and illustrations. Comprehensive bibliography and research citations. Academic and general interest accessibility. A Cultural Testament: As noted in the foreword by Bose Krishnamachari, this work "represents far more than a book, it is a cultural affirmation, a nuanced reflection on the enduring relevance of handicrafts" that demonstrates Kansa as "not a static artefact but a living tradition, situated within a complex cultural and artistic continuum." This essential volume ensures that the wisdom of Odisha's bell metal artisans is preserved, celebrated, and transmitted to future generations while supporting the communities who keep these traditions alive.