Be a Part of the "COPPRE" Culture (and a Giveaway!)

In 2011, Rashmi Ranade (Founder and Lead Designer at Coppre and Alumni of Sir J. J. College of Architecture and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai) embarked upon a journey to revolutionize a forgotten craft heritage of India - “The Tambat”. The metalcrafting artisans of Tambat Ali in Pune (India) migrated from Kosam Gaon in the 17th century to supply the Peshwai households with copperware. Sculpting and chiseling, they flourished in the Peshawar era making artillery, royal seals and utensils for more than three centuries. However with the invasion of the Bristish rule, the Peshawars were overthrown. This change in monarchy brought about several other changes with them like the introduction of steel and plastic. With affordable and accessible versions of the copperware in steel and plastic, the artisans faded into obscurity. Overtime the colony that had around 800 artisans has been reduced to a mere 80 artisans today. That’s when team Coppre (Sudakshina Sinha Banerjee- Market Outreach, Chhanda Bihari - Finance and Operations and Seemantini Mihir - Branding and eCommerce) stepped into reconstitute, revive and breathe new life into a lost heritage craft form. 

Three years later, brand "Coppre" has grown by leaps and bounds and has not only managed to be an advocate for this one-of-a-kind heritage craft but has also carved a niche for itself in the world of product design and copper culture.With an impressive presence in 8 countries and branching out to more than 14 cities in India, Coppre's latest effort to widen their market reach has been the launch of their US website. But what measures their success as a socio-enterprise is their collaborative efforts with artisan’s practicing this ancestral vocation has grown threefold from 10 (when they started in 2011) to a group of 30 artisans and the fact that they have even reformed how these artisans are remunerated is beyond laudable! 

Team Coppre has launched over 5 collections till date with each collection reflecting Coppre’s distinguished design philosophy that centers on “Traditional Skills, Timeless Designs”. That being said, each product reflects uncompromising quality, exquisite craftsmanship and style quotient that emphasizes understated elegance.

Coppre's imaginative design process absorbs fragments of inspiration primarily from nature and the bygone era. A labor intensive process is then undertaken to bring to fore glistening creations that are hand beaten and etched painstakingly. Their latest collection, “The Water Bearers" pays tribute to the traditional wisdom that throws spotlight on the health benefits of drinking copper charged water. The impossibly stylish new product range brings together the opulence of the burnished metal, utilitarian strength of copper and new age design that makes the product adaptive to the modern day lifestyle.

The concept and inspiration for the Water Bearers collection is fascinating. This is what team Coppre had to say :

"Long before the discovery of plastic and steel, metals were shaped into objects of everyday utility. They adorned every home, both affluent and impoverished. Generously utilized day in and out, for cooking, eating, drinking, carrying, storing and more. These were meticulously cared for- scrubbed and polished to reveal their innate metallic glory.

What was utilitarian and pretty was also good for the society, the family and the individual- both maker and buyer. People were healthy and metals played a role in it.

With the passage of time came convenience and a hurried living style. Plastic and steel became ubiquitous and metals were relegated to the attics or pawned off. What was necessary became redundant. What was indispensable, replaced. Preferences have since changed, but the needs are still the same. That’s why we bring tradition to you in contours and containers palatable to your tastes, needs and homes.Therefore, The Water Bearers."

Here are a few more facts about Copper that will convince you as to why one needs Coppre in their lives:

~ Recommended in Ayurveda, Tamrajal or water ionized by Copper is known to have a myriad health benefits. (Rich in antioxidants, kills bacteria, regulates thyroids, cures arthritis, heals wounds faster, stimulates brain activity, improves digestion, beats anemia!) 

~The Tambat craft community has been handcrafting water bearers for more than 400 years. They continue to do so, to this day. However, the practice is dwindling owing to convenience of plastic and steel, ease of maintenance and inadequate product design.

It's finally time to share details of the wonderful giveaway. One lucky TECD reader walks away with a set of 2 Linear Tumblers from Coppre's latest collection - "Water Bearers"!

All you have to do is :

(1) For the main entry, Sign-up/Subscribe with Coppre on their website (look at the bottom right hand corner for the orange subscribe tab) and like TECD's FB Page. 

(2) For each additional entry, follow Coppre on Instagram and TECD on Instagram.
(3) Once done with the above, leave a comment on TECD's Facebook page stating which of the actions you have followed.

It's as simple as that! The giveaway is open upto August 15th, 2015 . The winner will be decided by team Coppre on August 16th,2015. 

Good luck readers! I would like to thank the Coppre team for the wonderful giveaway and wish them all the very best in their endeavor to preserve a dwindling tradition and craft of India! To see more of their products, click here or connect with Coppre via their FB Page. 

Image Copyright/Credit : Coppre