Bangles are one of the most widely worn ornaments in India, and with good reason. This popular ornament is made with lac, a resinous secretion of insects, moulded into shape by a handful of artisans in Mandsaur.
The area around Bargunda Galli of Nayapura in Mandsaur houses some of the last remaining families who make these biodegradable bangles in Madhya Pradesh. Since it’s not a very lucrative option, the next generation of artisans are moving away from the craft, and only about 50 families still make these bangles.
Traditionally, lac bangles are worn only by married women. So, the bangle-makers are often invited to weddings to make these colourful bangles on the spot for the ladies in attendance. Depending on the number of people working at a time, they make about 40 to 50 bangles in an hour. The process does not involve any mechanical or electric gear. Basic wooden tools in different shapes are used to make the bangles.
A piece of lac is first heated over a flame, before colour is added to the lac and it is rolled into thin strips and cut to size. Then, it’s heated once again to soften and mould it into the shape of a bangle. Thappa, Teki, Sael and Batti (a stick) are some of the tools used to shape a bangle.
As the bangles are entirely handmade, and the process inherently encourages mindfulness, it can be a deeply satisfying experience for its makers. When travellers wish to learn this art and experience the quiet joy of crafting something intricate with their own hands, the bangle makers are “happy to show how it’s done”, says Hiralal Lakshkar, an artisan from Mandsaur.