Committed to preserving rich heritage and culture of Punjab
Mahesh Sharma
Raikot, June 19
Utensils and household articles collected by Balvir Kaur of Dadhahoor village, situated at the western end of Ludhiana district, are a centre of attraction for residents of the area. Having collected antique articles as her hobby, Balbir Kaur has urged the administration to establish museums at the local level where people like her can display their collections for the public.
Made up of copper, bronze and clay, the articles, which had been almost obsolete for two generations, include lamps, flowerpots, perfume bottles, tea sets, weighing scales, thappna, paper weights, glass, chhana (large bowls), valtohian, gaagar, jyoti, surmedaani, lota, mirror, buckets, chairs, plates, jugs, tiffin carriers and parant.
A majority of these articles have beautiful engravings. Balvir Kaur said the family did not use these articles in routine but presented them before special guests occasionally.
One of the utensils, “thappna” is made of clay which is presumed to be more than 200 years old. It has been in the family for generations. In old times, when people did not use “chakkla-velna”, this particular utensil was used to make chapatis.
Besides, there is a nipple made of copper that was once used to feed infants.
Balvir Kaur said she used to collect these items earlier as a hobby which had now turned into a passion. She is committed to preserving rich heritage and culture of the state.
She also has handmade carpets, pillows, bags, hand fans and several other things. She claimed that women these days couldn’t make all these items. She would never sell or give away these utensils to anyone, she added.
