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In total there are 27
people working at the bronze creative. Just one year ago there
were 17 workers. Because of heightened demand they have had to
hire more workers. This is a wonderful sign for the future of the
Indian bronze casting
business. The art of bronze casting has such a rich history and is the
very fiber of India. Having more young people joining as apprentices
means this skill will live with them and ensure the growth of this rich
tradition.
The three brothers
Varadaraj, Varun and Sini are the owners. Varadaraj oversees all
aspects of production and is the most senior artist. Varun, is a
wonderful wax modeler. The youngest , Sini is the best with numbers and
besides wax modeling and handles the accounting aspects of the
business.
There are 8 wax
modelers who are in charge of making the wax model of the figure and the
base. Two of the eight workers are apprentices learning the trade.
There are 3 workers
who do the entire earthen mold making and handle the actual bronze
casting. Selvam is the manager for of the three workers. He is 24
years old and worked as a mason before joining the bronze creative 3
years ago. He much prefers working for the Bronze creative than to
masonry
They have 8 wax
modelers including Varadaraj, Varun and Sini. 2 of which are
apprentices.
There are 13 people who do
all the finishing for the statues. This includes all the chiseling, filing,
scrapping and carving of the statues.
11 of the 27 live in the
second floor of the shop. The workshop was previously a family’s home so it is
fully acceptable to live there. Along with their salary they get to live above
the workshop and get three meals a day. The work day is from 9 AM to 6:30 with
an hour for lunch. If they like they can work till 9:00 PM for over time. Or
they can use the facilities to make their own sculptures that they can sell
themselves for extra money.
The Bronzes Creative workshop
is situated next to a rice field. It is quite an open, beautiful and natural
environment. Right next door to the workshop is the home of Varadaraj, Varun,
Sini and their parents.
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