Tambat Ali, Pune

CEE and Intach organized a visit on 18 July 2009 to Tambat Ali for meeting one of the master craftsmen and to try and understand this famous craft of Pune. Tambat Ali in Pune has existed since the time the Peths were first created by Chhatrapati Shivaji. The tambats came to Pune from the Konkan. Seven generations have lived in Kasba Path. There used to 12 to 15 families earlier, of which only 2 seem to be active in the present day. Reasons for the decline include increasing pressures of modern development, land prices, and the ‘slow market’ for copper work. 

Mr Kadu informed about the linkages with Aksharnandan and Sahyadri schools. Students from Design schools, as well as crafts people from other countries visit and sometimes undergo short internships here. Intach has organized 3 workshops in recent times, with a view to discussing ways of enhancing the craft. Recent discussions have also thrown up the idea that an alternative location could be found at Mundhwa for the interested Tambat families to create a Copper Crafts Village. Or may be a copper village could be made right here, in situ. The historic and traditional location, where the Tambat families have always been, just a few minutes from Shaniwar Wada – I think no matter what the land prices, its only right that this is where the bumbs, oil lamps and little copper kitchen sets for little girls should continue to be made.

Here are some pictures.

Tambat Ali