Page 20 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (107)

19 SOUTHERN MESSENGERS

Craftsmanship creates exquisite

legacies

匠心铸造精美传承

In Nepal, metal handicrafts serve not used to expedite this process.
only as daily necessities and decorations After the molds have naturally dried,
but also embody deep cultural significance they are sent to the furnace. The high temper-
and historical memories. From the solemn ature causes the wax inside to melt and flow
bronze bells found in temples to the metal out, creating a cavity for pouring the molten
sculptures that adorn the entrances of Nep- metal. “The melted wax can be filtered, recy-
alese homes, each piece represents the me- cled, and reused,” Shakya explained. Mean-
ticulous efforts and craftsmanship of its ar- while, on the other side of the factory, workers
tisans. Even in the age of industrialization, heat the metal until it reaches a liquid state
there remains a dedicated group in Nepal and then slowly pour it into the mold’s cavity,
committed to preserving the ancient art of allowing it to cool and solidify.
metal casting, ensuring that this traditional The following day, the cooled metal
craft continues to thrive. products are removed from the clay mold.
“Our metal casting craftsmanship has a Artisans then employ tools such as small
rich history that spans hundreds of years,” hammers, chisels, and files for detailed
introduced Prajanya Ratna Shakya, Man- finishing and intricate carving. Each step of
aging Director, Nepal Dhalout Udhyog, this process challenges the artisans’ patience
expressing his deep love and pride for this and skill, and the result of their dedication
art form. In the factory, every step of the is a collection of exquisite handicrafts.
casting process adheres strictly to tradition- “This is our smallest bell, and this is the
al methods. From the initial waxing to the sound it produces,” Shakya said as he light-
final presentation of each piece, the work ly tapped the small bell in his hand, allow-
showcases the artisans’ unwavering com- ing its clear and pleasant tones to resonate
mitment to detail and excellence. in the air. He further explained that the larg-
The first step in the casting process is to er the bell, the louder and more far-reaching
create a wax mold. Artisans meticulously its sound becomes.
carve intricate patterns into the wax block, “We are also teaching others to preserve
each of which carries auspicious meanings. this valuable traditional craftsmanship,”
Next, they cover the wax mold layer by Shakya said with hope. In this casting fac-
layer with a mixture of fine soil. “The entire tory, it’s not just the older generation of
process must be repeated three times to en- artisans upholding the tradition; younger
sure the quality of the final product,” Shak- artisans are gradually becoming involved
ya explained. Once the wax mold is fully as well. They learn the craftsmanship from
encased in soil, it is placed in the sun to dry their predecessors and work together to pro-
naturally, as no modern equipment can be tect this treasured cultural heritage.