As the OCO Fellows arrived in Bhatimunda, Cuttack, they found themselves in a village deeply rooted in devotion and tradition. The people here proudly identify as devotees of Lord Jagannath, their faith woven into the fabric of their daily lives. Each year, they play a sacred role in the grand Rath Yatra, striking the temple bell (ghanta) on the chariot (rath), a ritual that connects them to centuries of heritage.

Yet, beyond the echoes of temple bells, another sound has faded into silence the rhythmic hammering of artisans shaping bell metal. Once a thriving center of craftsmanship, Bhatimunda was home to skilled artisans who molded molten metal into objects of strength and beauty. Thirty years ago, the village resonated with the clang of chisels and the glow of blazing furnaces. Today, that legacy stands on the brink of disappearance.

The fellows found that bell metal work in Bhatimunda has all but ceased. What remains is only the practice of repair work and the crafting of pitala (brass) items. Walking through the village, they met artisans who now limit their skills to fixing old pieces rather than creating new ones. The tools of the past are gathering dust, and the younger generation, seeing no future in the craft, has turned away from it.

Speaking with the elders, the fellows learned of a time when bell metal craftsmanship thrived. But with the rising cost of materials, a shift in market demand, and the decline of coal supplies essential for production, the craft began to wither. One by one, the forges went cold.

Despite this decline, the spirit of Bhatimunda’s people remains unshaken. Their devotion to Lord Jagannath endures, and their participation in the Rath Yatra keeps alive a symbolic connection to their past. However, without intervention and renewed interest, the once-thriving art of bell metal work may soon become a forgotten chapter in Odisha’s rich cultural history.

The OCO Fellows left Bhatimunda with a sense of urgency an awareness that traditions are fragile and that preserving them requires effort, awareness, and action. Their research was not just an exploration of lost craftsmanship but a journey into the heart of a community holding onto its heritage with reverence and resilience.