Being an Assamese bell metal or “Kanh” is an integral part of my life. In fact it is found in so many simple ways in all our homes that we tend to overlook it especially amongst us city-bred lot. However to most Assamese people bell metal is considered second to gold and silver is integrated into our socio religious fabric in society.
Bell Metal is technically an alloy made from copper, tin and zinc and is similar to bronze. It is the composition of these 3 elements, which make it slightly different, the ratio of tin content being higher than bronze. It is the metal used to make high quality bells, thanks to the sound it generates which is also a test of it’s purity, and hence its name- bell metal.