Lost and forgotten: Kaliwalas and the dying tradition of metal polishing

Most of us of old-timer must have witnessed the tradition of metal polishing in the streets, which is almost dead now and hardly seen anywhere or heard the voice in original mother tongue – Bhande Kali Kra Lo… but could heard a song by searching on the network social media or YouTube.

Once, popular copper and brass kitchenware has been replaced by disposable plastic and stainless steel utensils.  It is lost and forgotten, it is now dying tradition of metal polishing by Kaliwalas.

OLD PECULIAR VOICE IS NOT HEARD NOW

With the passage of time, what were once defining aspects of the city have turned a distant memory and one such, is the echoing cry of the Kaliwala. Before the invasion of plastic and stainless steel, when copper and brass made for the common variety of kitchenware in our households, the Kaliwalas could be heard going from street to street offering polishing services for the metal utensils.

SCENE FROM OLD MEMORIES

I recollect from the memories of my childhood now that hearing the distant calls of the Kaliwala, housewives would stand at their doorsteps with their pots and pans waiting for the polisher to walk into their neighbourhood. Often on a bicycle or carrying his equipment in a carryon, the hawker would provide enamelling, coating and polishing services for the utensils for a meagre sum.

SOME STILL GIVE VALUE TO THIS TRADITION

Although with the popularisation of plastic, aluminium and steel the use of copper and brass utensils has been lost to time and once familiar calls of the Kaliwala may have faded into the realms of nostalgia, there are some who still value the tradition and give life to a dying custom.

STILL ONE SHOP IS EXISTING IN MY TOWN

I don’t recollect the name but one of the few metal polishers in my city Ferozepur,  who used to go door to door and city to city singing the familiar notes of the Kailwala.  However, one such person, who don’t move from door to door, is having his shop of polishing the utensils in Mochi Bazar. During my childhood, I too had once gone to his shop to get the one old utensil – Kadai – polished from Kaliwala.

WHAT CATERER OLD

But this profession being not popular with new invasions and children are educated, have neither adopted it nor needed in the present set up of kitchewares.  However, the introduction of modern kitchenware has been a severe blow to this profession and the only marriage halls, professional caterers and some veteran clients who value the tradition enough to help keep it alive, as was told by some caterer.

Moreover, the peculiar smell while polishing and smoke, can prove harmful when everyone is health conscious.

FRANKLY SPEAKING – polishing was good for health

Frankly speaking, Those who love use the brass utensils, may sometime take their utensils to the shop for plolish, coat or enamel their kitchenware who claim that there are several benefits to using copper kitchenware, including improved immune system, better digestion and improved thyroid health.

But unlike modern-day disposable kitchenware, brass and copper utensils can last for generations and those who use them treasure their utensils and routinely get them varnished and enamelled to keep them looking fresh.