INTRODUCTION

Bell Metal industry is one of the traditional industries in Assam. In Assam, the position of
bell metal handicraft is next to handloom and textile. It is one of the important and popular
type of metal which is used to manufacture different kinds of day-to- day utensils and
decorative items. Bell metal products hold a special status in Assamese society due to its
ancient origin. In every cultural and religious activity in Assam, the bell metal utensils are
used and preferred. The bell metal industry in India employees a large number of artisans
and workers and produce variety of goods ranging from low value household goods to high
value ornamental products. The complete industry may be very unorganized where the
artisans work from their dwelling. The demand of bell metal industry is not only
concentrated in Assam but also in other Indian states and countries. Though the bell metal
works are also found in other parts of the country such as West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, the
composition of the alloy is different in Assam which is unique in nature. In Assam, the alloy is
made up of 78% copper and 22% tin. Though tin and copper are the main raw materials of
bell metal, the artisans use scrap bell metal utensils as raw materials. For giving required
shape of the melted bell metal, the artisans use charcoal as fuel to heat the metal. But now
the industry is facing problems which are hampering its development. The manufacturing of
bell metal products is mostly done in Sarthebari and Hajo area of Assam. Moreover, the skill
of manufacturing bell metal products is hereditary. So, the production is limited to specific
areas in Assam. This adds to the low expansion of the bell metal market. Therefore, the
present study analyses the attractiveness of the bell metal industry which will influence
future entrepreneurs to enter into the industry.
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE:
Trishna Saloi,Durlav Kumar Barman conducted a study on "ATTRACTIVENESS OF BELL
METAL INDUSTRY IN ASSAM: A STUDY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SATHEBARI AREA IN
ASSAM" and concluded that the bell metal industry is attractive for the prospective
entrepreneurs due to low capital requirement and lack of entry barrier. Moreover, the
competition between existing firms is high but is limited to Sarthebari area. One major
threat to the industry is availability of duplicate and substitute products in the market.
Therefore, the industry is attractive to the prospective entrepreneurs if they acquire expert
skills in production of bell metal products and bring some innovation in designs and also
maintain the ancient royal look at the same time.

Mridula Sahay(2015) in her article "TURNAROUND STRATEGY FOR BRASS AND BELL METAL
INDUSTRY IN ASSAM, INDIA" mentioned the necessity to adopt appropriate technology and
strategy, for modernization, diversification and growth of the industry.Though raw materials
is one of the constraints, but by-product diversification, decorative and artistic value added
articles may be produced as they are never sold by weight as in case of utensils, but by their
size depending on artistic value.Modern machineries and equipments and modern tools
provided to artisans will increase not only productivity and quality of product but also the
acceptability of the product in both national and international market.

Dr. Birinchi Choudhury, in his study "Product Adaptation: Popularizing Bell Metal Handicraft
Product of Sarthebari as a Tourism Souvenir" mentioned that there are some serious
problems associated with the handicraft such as replica product, shortage of scrap bell metal
utensil and shortage of charcoal for which, coal acts as an alternative. The study reveals that
the traditional products of the bell metal handicraft have sufficient demand but there is
enough opportunity to attract the tourist through product adaption. For attracting tourist to
Sarthebari, the artisans have to give importance to the demand pattern of the tourist which
can be done through product adaptation.

Dr. Birinchi Choudhury in another study " EFFICACY OF TRADITIONAL MARKETING STRATEGY
OF BELL METAL HANDICRAFT OF ASSAM" mentioned that in the recent decades, the demand
for some traditional utensils made of bell metal has been reduced radically and are replaced
by cheap aluminium and steel products. The study shows that the handicraft is not in a dying
position as it is normally considered and it is clear from the huge demand for Bhutiya taal.
The basic problem of this industry is shortage of charcoal. The artisans of Sarthebari of
Assam use charcoal. There is an acute shortage of this raw material. Therefore, the price of
charcoal has been rising. The coal is economical compared to charcoal but the artisans do
not want to use coal because, at Sarthebari, bell metal handicraft work is done in the own
cottage of the head artisan.

Lipi Bhuyan, Prof. Seema S. Singha in their study "Bell and Brass Metal Craft: A Socio-
Economic Condition of Artisans of Assam" mentioned that the artisans maintain an average
lifestyle. Majority of the artisans earns in between Rs.6000 to Rs.15,000 and usually crafts
both conventional and decorative item. It is a male dominated sector because of the
laborious work. Maximum of the respondents of both Bell and brass metal crafts belong to
the age group of 26 to 40 years. Artisans crafting decorative items tend to save more than
that of conventional crafting artisans. They mostly work for 6 to 8 hours and the business
here is mostly seasonal. The artisans are mostly senior secondary passed in terms of their
education. They are mostly the daily wage artisans and usually stay in a room of the head
artisans at the time of peak working season.

Lakhimi Jogendranath Chutia, Mrinmoy K Sarma in their study "Native Tradition and
Changing Market Dynamics: The Future Sustainability of Hajo and Sarthebari Metal Crafts"
mentioned that artisans involved in decorative crafts are earning well in comparison to the
conventional craft makers. Craftsmen who are unable to accommodate their crafts according
to aesthetic demands struggle in economic sphere and find the occupation unreliable, with
many even ready to forego their ancestral occupation in future. This brings in the issue of
sustainability of the craft. Also, modern elements and new components are required for the
modern-day customers seeking range of products. Also, old designs and objects show the
possibility of being reproduced if artisans are given simple tools to save time and effort.
Overall, there is a good scope for handmade metal crafts to compete with imported wares if
price, quality, variety and finish are taken care.

Parvati Patowary in her book "Sarthebarir oitijyamandita kahxilpo" how was the bell metal
industry during Ahom reign as well as British Rule, what is bell metal and how the industry is
going, how bell metal utensils are made today.

Bhaben kalita in his study "A geographical analysis of bell metal industry in Sarthebari,
Assam" briefly describes about this industry.The bell-metal industry at Sarthebari has made
considerable headway, the progress, owing to certain handicaps and the problems faced by
the industry, has not been commensurate with the amount of investment made with the
liberal assistance of the Government to the industry and the significant developments in
production.
Samin Kalita in his book "Hajo Oncholor Oitihakh" has given an account on how brass metal
industry was set up in Hajo,how was the industry during ahom reign as well as british
rule,different types of tools used by artisans,etc.

Ratna Bharali Talukdar in his article "Brass metal work losing its shine" mentioned the
livelihood of hundreds of artisans in Hajo is threatened by local monopoly and other factors
that have driven the prices of raw materials very high. Most artisans have limited scope for
alternative livelihood due to poor socio-economic condition, lack of schooling in most cases,
and no virtual exposure to the outside world.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter will be explained under the following headings-
• Research Design
• Population of the study
• Sample size
• Sampling technique
• Statistical tool used for analysis
• Sources of Information.

Research Design:

The exploratory research design was selected for this study due to its suitability for gaining
insights into a relatively unexplored topic – “A study on brass and bell metal industry of Hajo
and Sarthebari”

Population of the study –

The chosen population consists the households of Hajo and Sarthebari. The population was
divided into estates as per the demographics and then representation has been taken from all
the estates. The total artisan in Hajo Area is around 500 and Sarthebari is
1507(https://industriescom.assam.gov.in)

Sample Size

The population of interest consisted of 350 households located in Hajo .

Out of this population, a sample size of 300households was selected for the study.

Sample technique –

Convenience Sampling was utilized as the sampling technique due to the homogenous nature
of the population, making it easier to access and gather data from willing participants.

Statistical tools used for analysis –

The research study analyses that data using quantitative techniques like-

• Percentage (%)
 • Table
• Pie charts.

Sources of information

The primary sources of data collection are used to serve the objectives and secondary sources
are used for designing the framework of the study. Details regarding sources is mentioned
below-

• Primary sources of information.

• Secondary sources of information.

Primary sources of information

To study the socio-economic conditions of the artisans engaged in the brass and bell metal
units of Hajo and Sarthebari through a structured questionnaire.

Secondary sources of information –

The secondary sources of information are collected through following sources-

• Journal, magazines, newspapers, websites.

• Articles, research papers of eminent authors.