In the quiet village of Zura, the rhythmic clang of hammer on metal still echoes through the lanes. Here, in his workshop, Javed Abdullah shapes sheets of iron into the famous Kutch bells, a craft his family has practiced for generations.
When we met him for Club Artizen, Javed was almost bemused by the attention.
“We have been doing this for many, many generations,” he said with a smile. Along with Zura, only two other nearby villages still make these distinctive bells.
Javed making the Kutch Bell in his workshop
Traditionally, the bells were tied around the necks of cattle, goats, and the like. Each had a unique size and tone, identifying not only the type of animal but also its owner. Today, their role is mostly ornamental—though farmers and shepherds still use them in parts of Kutch.
The craft is a community effort. While the men beat iron sheets into shape, the women of the Lohar community prepare the clay coating that is vital to the process. The bells are first hammered into their required form, then coated in a copper–brass mixture. A sleeve of clay-dough is applied before they are fired in a kiln. In the heat, the metal alloy melts and fuses with the iron. When the clay casing is broken away, the finished bell emerges—gleaming, resonant, and ready to sing.
Over the years, the uses of Kutch bells have expanded. Musical instruments, wind chimes, and decorative pieces now make up much of the artisan’s livelihood.
As Javed recalls, “My grandfather could identify his cows just by the sound of their bells. Today, cowherds may not need the bells to know their cattle, but still want their animals to wear something beautiful.”
For Club Artizen, Javed and his team have added a special touch—hand-embroidered sleeves that turn each bell into a perfect festive gift, joining hands with another cooperative to provide livelihoods for artisans working on hand embroidery.