The Xorai is a widely used form in Assamese culture. The origins of it’s use dates back to 15th Century - linked to Neo – Vaishnavate movement started by 'Srimanta Sankardeva' in Assam. In present day, a Xorai has become the cultural symbol of Assam along with the Jaapi and Gamosa. Traditionally in weddings the bride holds onto the Xorai and sweets or palette cleansers are served in it. This is also seen when the newly wed groom visits the bride’s place and he is given 'jolpaan' in it. It maybe also be given to a respected person or to an achiever as a symbol of respect. Thus, this object has a huge cultural value attached to it.
We got a glimpse of what the Xorai is and what significance does it hold . But where did this Xorai come from? Through this exercise an attempt to trace the roots of this cultural symbol was made.
The craft after coming into Assam, was developed using local artisans. This saw a shift in the value attached to the form. This could be observed on the engravings of the Xorai.
Traditionally bell metal craft is practiced in two major centers in Assam - Hajo and Sarthebari. Even though the industry has seen a growth in terms of its value, it is still a small scale manual skill based craft. The aesthetic value of the two centers may differ but the process of the craft remains same to how it was practiced from the start. Hand tools are primarily used to give the metal its final form.
The Xorai is a fairly versatile form, which is used in several contexts. It has a cultural value and talks about the heritage and changes in the community. However, in a contemporary world it is largely a neglected form, and is occasionally used as a decorative piece.
One major reason for the reduction in use of a Xorai, is the maintenance of the product. Its shape makes it difficult to clean and store. Traditionally, tamarind was used to clean the bell metal utensils, but currently even acid cleaning is done for the product. This makes it an decorative piece, which tells a variety of stories through its etchings.
In a contemporary era, these forms keep people connected to their roots and culture. The presence of a 'Xorai' tells one about the craft, the auspiciousness, and the value of the form. This makes 'Xorai' an important cultural form.
The brief for developing the form was associated to contemporary living. Thus, the 'Xorai' was viewed as a symbolic form which connected the user to their culture. Further, iterations revolved around this key anchor.
The final design look at the Xorai as a story telling symbol and built around that concept, using two major materials used in the region. The form talks about what the origins of the 'Xorai' was and what changes it went through with time.
