|
The state of Bengal had been the principal seat
of couch shell industry in India. From time immemorial, the ‘Shankharies’
or ‘Shankhabaniks’ have been engaged in the trade and had been
supplying conch bungles to adorn the hands of married Hindu ladies,
which they used to wear as a mark of good fortune. Even fifty years
ago the wearing of shell bracelets was universal in Bengal among the
Hindus, but now they have gone almost out of fashion in town areas.
The religious compulsion traditionally associated with the conch
shell products has lost much of its force in modern times, which has
caused disadvantage for the conch shell artisans. For survival, they
are now manufacturing various sorts of novelty items like shell
jewelry, ornament pieces, table lamps, forks and spoons etc. The
‘Shankharies’ of Bankura are noted for time conch bungle an
blowing –conchs with intricate design and figures of gods and
goddesses skilfully carved on them. |
