Balvir Kaur Of Daddahoor Village Collects Decades Old Utensils

Plans To Take This Heritage Forward For Coming Generations, Has A Collection Of Utensils Made Of Copper, Bronze & Clay

5 Dariya News (Ajay Pahwa)

Ludhiana 12-Jun-2016

Taking cue from the efforts made by Punjab government in preserving our rich culture and history, Balvir Kaur of village Daddahoor is also collecting decades old utensils. She is collecting these utensils for showcasing them to the coming generations. These utensils are made up of copper, bronze and clay.She informed that these utensils include Paraat, lamp, flowerpot, perfume bottles, tea set, weighing scale, thappna, paper weights, glass, chhana, kaul, valtohian, gaagar, jot, surmedaani, lota, mirror, buckets, chairs, plates, jugs, tiffins, besides several others.Besides this, some utensils and things (such as bronze peacock, birds, glass and other) have been given by her as gifts to relatives. All these goods have beautiful engraving. All these things have been in Balvir's family for the last several years while she has purchased a few.She informed that they do not use these utensils on daily basis and only display them whenever any relative comes. She informed that she is having one utensil "thappna" made up of clay which is more than 200 year old and has been in family since ages. In old times, when people did not use "chakkla-velna", this particular utensil was used to cook chapatis.

Besides this, a nipple made up of copper is also in the family that was used to feed children. She informed that earlier she used to collect these items as a hobby which has turned into full fledged passion now. 

She said that she is committed to preserve our rich heritage and culture. She said that the present generation is totally unaware about all these items and that is why, she is now committed to preserve all these utensils and artefacts. Balvir Kaur said that she uses lime mixed with ash to clean these utensils, which is also a traditional way of cleaning utensils. She also possesses hand made carpets, pillows, khes, bags, handfans and several other things and claimed that women these days cannot make all these items. Balvir Kaur said that she would never sell or give away these utensils to anyone and would make sure they stay in family for generations to come. She said she would not hand them over to her family if her family fails to take care of all these artefacts. She also appreciated the efforts of Punjab government in preserving our rich culture and history. She said that a museum should be constructed at local level where all these items could be put to display.